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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP): Pakistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their strong commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations, which are deeply rooted in shared history, culture, religion, and common values.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment during a meeting held here Tuesday between Advisor to the Chairman Senate and Ambassador for the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC), Ms. Misbah Khar and Senator Husan Ermatov of the Senate of Uzbekistan, said a press release.
Ms Misbah Khar emphasized that Pakistan attaches high importance to its growing relationship with Uzbekistan and expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and the expanding scope of cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
Highlighting recent diplomatic developments, Ms. Misbah Khar termed the visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Tashkent as a milestone, noting that it opened new avenues of collaboration.
She underscored the significance of the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding, the establishment of a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, and the adoption of a comprehensive Road Map with clear timelines as major achievements in bilateral engagement.
Parliamentary cooperation was emphasized as a key pillar of Pakistan–Uzbekistan relations. Ms. Misbah Khar noted that parliamentary collaboration has gained fresh momentum following the successful Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) held in Islamabad under the visionary leadership of Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Both sides welcomed high-level parliamentary exchanges and active participation in international parliamentary forums, underscoring their importance in promoting mutual understanding, capacity building, and stronger institutional linkages, the press release said.
On the economic front, both sides acknowledged the vast untapped potential for enhancing trade and investment. Ms. Misbah Khar highlighted Pakistan’s youthful population, constituting nearly 60 percent of the country as a valuable asset that can contribute to regional development, including cooperation with Uzbekistan. She also lauded Uzbekistan’s development model as a role model for the wider region.
The steady growth in bilateral trade was appreciated, with a shared resolve to enhance trade volume to US$ 2 billion in the coming years. Improved air connectivity, including the resumption of direct flights, was welcomed as an important catalyst for strengthening people-to-people and business-to-business contacts. Regional connectivity initiatives, particularly the Trans-Afghan Railway Project and multimodal transport corridors, were underscored as transformative projects for regional integration and shared prosperity.
Both sides reaffirmed their determination to continue close collaboration across all sectors and to fully realize the vast potential of Pakistan–Uzbekistan relations.
Senator Husan Ermatov congratulated Pakistan on the successful organization of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference and emphasized the importance of further enhancing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan as brotherly Muslim countries. He conveyed the best wishes of the President of Uzbekistan to Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and to the people of Pakistan.