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  "path": "/pakistan-uzbekistan-reaffirm-2-billion-trade-goal-by-2029",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-06T10:01:49.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nPakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to what they described as a qualitatively new level after high-level talks in Islamabad, according to a joint declaration issued Friday.\n\nThe agreement followed a state visit by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan from Feb. 5–6 at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.\n\nThe two leaders held what the declaration described as comprehensive discussions on political, economic, security, cultural and people-to-people cooperation, as well as regional and international issues.\n\nBoth sides reiterated commitments to mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to long-term sustainable development, the declaration said.\n\nThe leaders noted the positive trajectory of bilateral ties since Pakistan and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations 34 years ago, citing frequent high-level exchanges and expanded political dialogue.\n\nThey welcomed the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, describing it as a milestone mechanism to guide and monitor cooperation at the leadership level.\n\n### Trade and connectivity\n\nEconomic cooperation featured prominently, with both sides reaffirming a target of $2 billion in bilateral trade by 2029, according to the joint declaration.\n\nThey welcomed progress on expanding the Preferential Trade Agreement, finalizing a Bilateral Investment Treaty, and exploring alignment of sanitary and phytosanitary measures and mutual recognition of standards.\n\nConnectivity was identified as a key driver of regional integration. The leaders underscored the importance of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project.\n\nThey welcomed the signing of the project’s framework agreement and endorsement of the Termiz–Kharlachi route, and agreed to jointly finance its feasibility study, the declaration said.\n\nPakistan reiterated its readiness to provide Uzbekistan access to its seaports and international-standard road network to facilitate regional transit trade.\n\n### Culture, education and tourism\n\nThe two countries pledged to deepen cooperation in culture, heritage preservation and education, citing historical ties linked to the Silk Road.\n\nThey welcomed agreements related to the preservation of Baburid heritage and agreed to expand academic exchanges and research collaboration.\n\nThe leaders also noted growing cooperation between national media organizations, including joint productions and journalist exchanges, and agreed to further collaboration in broadcasting and film production.\n\nThey welcomed improved air connectivity, including direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad and between Tashkent and Lahore, and expressed optimism about expanding tourism cooperation through joint promotion and private-sector partnerships.\n\n### Security and regional issues\n\nPakistan and Uzbekistan agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense, counterterrorism and law enforcement, particularly against terrorism, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking.\n\nThey stressed the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan and called on Afghan authorities to take concrete measures against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.\n\nAt the multilateral level, both sides reaffirmed commitment to the United Nations Charter and pledged mutual support at international forums.\n\nUzbekistan congratulated Pakistan on its role as a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council for 2025–26 and expressed support for Pakistan’s upcoming chairmanships of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Economic Cooperation Organization.\n\nBoth countries reiterated support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders.\n\nMirziyoyev thanked Pakistan for what the declaration described as warm hospitality and invited Sharif to visit Uzbekistan. The invitation was accepted.\n\nThe joint declaration was signed in Islamabad on Feb. 6 in Uzbek and English.",
  "title": "Pakistan, Uzbekistan reaffirm $2 billion trade goal by 2029"
}