Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrives in Islamabad today for a two-day state visit aimed at deepening ties with Pakistan through high-level talks and business engagements.
Uzbekistan president visit Pakistan begins today as Shavkat Mirziyoyev lands in Islamabad with a high-level delegation. Invited by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the visit includes meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and addresses to business forums. Focus areas cover trade expansion to $2 billion, energy projects and regional connectivity. This second trip since 2022 underscores growing Central-South Asian bonds.
The arrival signals potential breakthroughs in economic partnerships. With trade volumes rising from a $1 billion deal in 2023, both nations target doubled exchanges. Discussions will review progress and chart new paths in defence and education.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev Pakistan Visit Agenda
Shavkat Mirziyoyev Pakistan visit commences with an official welcome at Nur Khan Airbase. The Uzbek leader heads a team of cabinet ministers and business executives. Key events include delegation-level talks at the Prime Minister’s House.
In these sessions, leaders will assess bilateral relations. Topics span trade enhancement, energy collaboration and defence ties. The FO statement highlights identifying fresh avenues for cooperation.
Mirziyoyev meets President Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr. This exchange aims to reinforce political dialogue. Later, he joins Shehbaz Sharif for Uzbekistan Pakistan bilateral talks.
The agenda includes the inaugural Strategic Cooperation Council meeting. This body will oversee joint initiatives in industry and transport.
A highlight is the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum. Mirziyoyev addresses entrepreneurs from both sides. Focus lies on industrial roadmaps and investment pacts.
Uzbekistan Pakistan Bilateral Talks Details
Uzbekistan Pakistan bilateral talks centre on economic growth. Trade stood at $500 million in 2025. Parties agreed last month in Tashkent to push for $2 billion.
Energy features prominently. Plans involve gas pipelines and power grid links. Defence cooperation includes joint exercises and technology shares.
Education and cultural exchanges get attention. Proposals cover student scholarships and heritage preservation.
Regional connectivity tops priorities. The Trans-Afghan Railway project receives emphasis. This route links Central Asia to South Asian ports.
People-to-people ties strengthen through visa easing. Tourism promotion targets shared Islamic heritage sites.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev Shehbaz Sharif Meeting Focus
Shavkat Mirziyoyev Shehbaz Sharif meeting forms the visit’s core. Held in narrow and expanded formats, it builds on prior engagements.
In 2025, Shehbaz visited Tashkent. Leaders then stressed tangible economic outcomes. This Islamabad session advances those goals.
Key outcomes expected: a Joint Declaration on strategic partnership. Plus, agreements in trade, transport and tourism.
The meeting addresses international issues. Views on Afghanistan stability and counter-terrorism align.
Army Chief Asim Munir joins discussions. This underscores security dimensions in Uzbekistan president visit Pakistan.
Background
Pakistan and Uzbekistan share deep historical links. Ties trace to ancient Silk Road exchanges. Modern relations formalised in 1992 post-Soviet independence.
The 2022 visit by Mirziyoyev marked a milestone. It yielded 10 agreements worth $1 billion. Focus then was trade diversification.
Subsequent pacts in 2023 boosted volumes. Industrial cooperation roadmaps followed. Bilateral trade grew 50% annually since.
Recent intergovernmental commissions in January 2026 reaffirmed targets. Uzbekistan Pakistan bilateral talks evolved into strategic dialogues.
Challenges include logistics barriers. Efforts address these via rail and road upgrades.
What’s Next
Post-visit, implementation committees activate. Monitoring $2 billion trade goal starts immediately.
Joint working groups convene on energy and defence. Business follow-ups from the forum yield investments.
Uzbekistan president visit Pakistan sets stage for reciprocal trips. Potential SCO summits offer further platforms.
Expected pacts formalise cooperation. Outcomes enhance South Asian stability through connected economies.
Uzbekistan president visit Pakistan concludes tomorrow with forward momentum in ties.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 5th, 2026
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