Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Wednesday said Pakistan and Uzbekistan had vast potential to further expand cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in electricity connectivity, renewable energy, hydropower, energy infrastructure and investment.
Pakistan, Uzbekistan enjoy vast potential to expand energy cooperation: Leghari
ISLAMABAD, Sep 02 (APP):Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Wednesday said Pakistan and Uzbekistan had vast potential to further expand cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in electricity connectivity, renewable energy, hydropower, energy infrastructure and investment.
Addressing a reception marking the 35th Independence Day of Uzbekistan, the minister said stronger energy cooperation could become an important component of the two countries’ broader economic partnership and regional integration.
Leghari warmly felicitated Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the government and people of Uzbekistan on the occasion and expressed Pakistan’s best wishes for the country’s continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress.
He said Pakistan deeply admired the achievements of the Uzbek people and valued the historic bonds between the two countries, rooted in shared Islamic culture and civilization.
Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence, while the two countries formally established diplomatic relations in 1992, he added.
The minister noted that Pakistan and Uzbekistan would also mark the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in May 2027.
He said bilateral relations had evolved into a strong partnership based on mutual respect, shared historical and cultural values and common interests, with cooperation expanding across trade, investment, energy, connectivity, education, science and technology and culture.
Leghari said the relationship had gained fresh momentum in recent years following the visits of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Uzbekistan in February 2025 and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan in February 2026.
He said the signing of various agreements and memoranda of understanding in areas including trade, mining, information technology, education, agriculture, maritime affairs and defence reflected the growing depth and diversity of bilateral cooperation.
Highlighting the potential of the economic partnership, the minister said Pakistan and Uzbekistan had set an ambitious target for increasing bilateral trade.
He stressed the need to facilitate greater interaction between the business communities of the two countries and encourage investment and joint ventures to achieve the target.
“As Federal Minister for Energy, I particularly see significant scope for expanding cooperation in the energy sector,” Leghari said.
He said the two countries could enhance collaboration in energy infrastructure, electricity connectivity, renewable energy, hydropower and investment, besides sharing expertise and experiences in developing resilient and sustainable energy systems.
The minister said connectivity was equally central to the shared vision of Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
He said Pakistan provided Uzbekistan with a gateway to the Arabian Sea and international markets, while Uzbekistan offered Pakistan access to the growing markets of Central Asia.
Leghari said the two countries were also working closely through the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), reflecting their shared commitment to peace, stability, dialogue and regional economic cooperation.
He appreciated Uzbekistan’s constructive role in promoting regional connectivity and prosperity.
The minister expressed confidence that Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations would continue to grow from strength to strength, saying their shared history provided a strong foundation, while common interests and expanding economic and connectivity links offered new opportunities for a stronger partnership.
He called for joint efforts to translate the existing potential into greater trade, investment, energy cooperation, connectivity and prosperity for the peoples of both countries.
On the occasion, Leghari reiterated his heartfelt congratulations to President Mirziyoyev, the government and people of Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of independence.
He expressed the hope that Uzbekistan would continue to progress and prosper and that its people would enjoy peace, stability, happiness and success.
“May the Pakistan-Uzbekistan friendship and our enduring brotherly ties continue to flourish for generations to come,” he said.
