Uzbekistan and Pakistan have discussed mechanisms to achieve their targeted $2 billion bilateral trade volume, Dunyo News Agency reported.
The Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev met with the Pakistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Bilal Hayee to review steps for accelerating political dialogue, expanding inter-parliamentary ties, boosting trade, economic, and investment relations, and strengthening cultural-humanitarian cooperation.
Hayee noted that a stable political dialogue and trusted communication channels now define the relationship between the two nations, adding that trade, economy, transport, tourism, and interprovincial cooperation are showing positive momentum.
"I am well aware of the reforms and achievements being realized under the leadership of Shavkat Mirziyoyev," the Pakistani Deputy Foreign Minister said. "Tashkent stands as one of Islamabad's primary partners in the region."
He also pointed to the "Babur Garden" currently being built in Islamabad at the initiative of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, calling it a symbol of the shared history and friendship uniting both peoples.
To reach the $2 billion trade milestone, both sides emphasized the critical need to eliminate transport and logistics bottlenecks and foster more active engagement between their respective business communities.
Interprovincial cooperation took center stage during the talks. The Pakistani delegation offered a positive assessment of recent official visits conducted this year by the leaders of Tashkent and Navoiy provinces, alongside leadership from Karakalpakstan.
The diplomats also discussed expanding bilateral travel. Direct flights between the two countries have now reached eight per week, and expanding this schedule further is expected to facilitate seamless transit for both tourists and entrepreneurs.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to maintain diplomatic momentum and pursue practical measures aimed at unlocking the full potential of the bilateral partnership.
This diplomatic push follows reports from late August indicating that Pakistan and the country agreed to reroute mutual transit trade through China. The shift comes in response to closure of transit corridors running through Afghanistan, coupled with a resurgence of hostilities between Iran and the United States.
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