ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar emphasized the potential for increased trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan through streamlined visa processes, enhanced banking channels, and reciprocal warehousing facilities.
These sentiments were conveyed during a meeting with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Jamshid Khodjaev Abdukhakomovich and his seven-member delegation, currently on an official visit to Pakistan.
PM Kakar extended a warm welcome to the Uzbek deputy prime minister and recalled his recent discussions with Uzbekistan’s President, Shavkat Mirziyovev, during the 16th ECO Summit in Tashkent.
Expressing satisfaction with the progress in bilateral engagements, especially in trade, defense, and connectivity, he commended the First Trilateral Meeting of Commerce Ministers from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan held in Islamabad.
Highlighting the establishment of a trilateral working group to address customs, logistics, trade promotion, tariffs, and TIR procedures, PM Kakar expressed optimism that this mechanism would enhance trade relations among the three nations.
Stressing the importance of sustained people-to-people exchanges, he hoped that the business communities of both countries could swiftly achieve the bilateral trade target of USD 1 billion.
Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and briefed PM Kakar on productive meetings with Pakistan’s business community, including banking and logistics sectors.
He hoped for continued active engagement to ensure the timely completion of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project.
The Uzbekistan delegation, comprising Minister of Transport Ilkhom Makhkamov Rustamovich and other high-ranking officials, joined discussions with Pakistan’s Minister of Commerce Gohar Ijaz and senior officials, aiming to strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
