Pakistan and Uzbekistan plan to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion within five years, while direct flights between the two countries are set to increase to nine per week by October 2026.
The targets were announced at a reception hosted by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad to mark Uzbekistan’s 35th Independence Day. Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari attended as chief guest, alongside senior government officials, diplomats, parliamentarians and business leaders.
Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, said the trade target would be pursued through closer contact between business communities, support for investment projects, development of trade houses, stronger banking ties and easier movement of goods between the two countries.
On air connectivity, Tukhtaev said direct flights did not exist between the two countries two years ago. Regular passenger services now operate between Tashkent and both Islamabad and Lahore, and direct cargo flights have also begun. New routes, including to Karachi, are expected to bring the total to nine weekly flights by October 2026.
The ambassador described the proposed Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway as the most significant project for the future, saying it could link Central and South Asian markets, create jobs, boost trade and strengthen regional stability.
Tukhtaev said Uzbekistan viewed Pakistan as a close partner rather than merely a regional counterpart, and thanked Pakistan for awarding President Shavkat Mirziyoyev the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civil honour.
He also noted that the two leaders had met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek, where they reaffirmed commitments to their strategic partnership. Uzbekistan, he added, supports Pakistan’s chairmanship of the SCO and the Economic Cooperation Organisation, and is ready to work with Islamabad on regional cooperation and stability.
Speaking on Uzbekistan’s domestic progress, Tukhtaev said poverty had fallen from around 35 percent to approximately 4 percent over the past decade, while higher education enrolment had risen to 1.6 million students.
Federal Minister Leghari said Pakistan valued its relationship with Uzbekistan and sought expanded cooperation in energy, trade, investment and connectivity, adding that stronger transport links and people-to-people contact would further deepen bilateral ties.
The event coincided with Uzbekistan Tourism Days in Pakistan, and concluded with traditional Uzbek cuisine and a cultural performance.
