ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan Thursday signed 28 agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) across a wide range of sectors, marking a major step forward in strengthening bilateral relations.
The agreements were exchanged during a signing ceremony at the Prime Minister’s House, where PM Shehbaz Sharif and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also signed a joint declaration, reaffirming their commitment to deepening strategic partnership.
The two sides also signed an agreement to enhance their bilateral trade to US$2 bn in the next five years. PM Shehbaz Sharif and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the agreement for increasing trade and economic cooperation. The signed documents cover cooperation in foreign affairs, preferential trade, defence, climate change, agriculture, food security, IT, science, education, culture, maritime affairs, pharmaceuticals, textiles, mining, geosciences, SMEs, sports and counter-narcotics, among other areas.
Key agreements included an MoU between the two foreign ministries, a protocol expanding the list of goods under the Preferential Trade Agreement, establishment of an Inter-Regional Forum, a defence cooperation action plan and MoUs on climate change adaptation and disaster management.
Both sides also signed agreements on agricultural research, plant protection, food security, information technology, science and education, cultural heritage preservation, and sports cooperation. Additional pacts were concluded to combat drug trafficking, promote cooperation in mining and geosciences, enable exchange of convicted prisoners, and enhance collaboration in maritime trade facilitation.
Agreements were also signed to support small and medium enterprises, expand cooperation in pharmaceuticals and textiles and promote cultural exchanges.In the area of trade facilitation and maritime cooperation, an MoU was signed to promote maritime trade and preferential port arrangements at the ports of Karachi, Gwadar and Qasim. Agreements were also signed to promote industrial cooperation and small and medium enterprises.
To enhance trade ties, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Uzbek Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov signed a protocol on expansion of the list of goods under the Preferential Trade Agreement, along with an Agreement for the Establishment of Pakistan-Uzbekistan Interregional Forum, aimed at strengthening regional and business-to-business cooperation.
In the defence sector, Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Uzbek Minister of Defence Shukhrat Khalmukhammedov signed an Action Plan for Defence Cooperation.The two sides also concluded a MoU in the fields of Ecology, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, as well as an MoU on Mutual Cooperation in Disaster Management, underscoring growing collaboration in non-traditional security areas.
An agreement on cooperation in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors was signed between the Government of Pakistan and the Government of Uzbekistan. The document was signed by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary on behalf of Pakistan and Abdulaziz Kamilov, Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on Foreign Policy, representing the Uzbek side.
In the field of information technology and digital cooperation, an MoU between the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication of Pakistan and the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan was signed by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan.
In recognition of close bilateral ties, the Government of Pakistan announced conferment of an honorary doctorate degree on President Mirziyoyev.The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) conferred the honorary degree of doctorate of philosophy and title of professorship on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in recognition of his extraordinary leadership and contributions to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
During a special convocation of the NUST organised here at the Prime Minister’s House, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Rector NUST, Dr Muhammad Zahid Latif, officially conferred the honorary PhD degree and the title of professorship on President Mirziyoyev.
Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed President Mirziyoyev and his delegation, congratulating him on receiving the honorary doctorate and Pakistan’s highest civil award, Nishan-e-Pakistan.
He said Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations had strengthened steadily over time, adding that shared history and regional connectivity pointed to a promising future. The prime minister highlighted the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity.
President Mirziyoyev thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the warm hospitality, calling the day memorable and the honours deeply meaningful.
He said comprehensive discussions were held on trade, investment and economic cooperation, describing Pakistan as a close friend and reliable partner. He praised the Pakistani leadership’s efforts toward economic stability and development.
Following the speeches, a ceremony was held in Islamabad to name a road after Tashkent and a park after Mughal Emperor Zahiruddin Babur, symbolising the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries.
PM Shehbaz said the gesture reflected the enduring friendship and further strengthened the multi-dimensional strategic partnership between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.Earlier, President Mirziyoyev, accompanied by a high-level delegation, visited Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), where Field Marshal Asim Munir received him.
According to the ISPR, the Uzbek president was briefed on Pakistan’s modern defence systems, industrial capabilities and technological expertise. The visiting delegation toured key facilities and observed indigenously produced defence equipment, appreciating Pakistan’s progress in defence production and industrial development.
ISPR said the visit would further enhance defence, technology and industrial cooperation, emphasising partnership, knowledge-sharing and joint projects as pillars of future collaboration.
Earlier, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit. He was given a red-carpet welcome as President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the dignitary at the Nur Khan air base.
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Ishaq Dar Thursday called on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a DPM office news release said. He underscored the profound importance that Pakistan accords to its cordial relations with Uzbekistan and expressed confidence that the presidential visit would contribute towards further strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation.
