Pakistan and Uzbekistan have issued a joint call for Kabul to take immediate and concrete actions to prevent terrorist organisations from using Afghan territory for attacks, a major outcome of a two-day State visit by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
According to a report by MOIB today, during interactions in Islamabad, President Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underlined that stability in Afghanistan is crucial for lasting regional peace and urged the Afghan administration to address the persistent threats of terrorism.
The leaders also reaffirmed their resolve to significantly bolster economic ties, setting a target to increase bilateral trade to two billion dollars by the year 2029.
According to a joint declaration, this economic expansion will be supported by establishing jointly managed industrial zones in each nation and convening the inaugural Forum of Regions of the two countries in Uzbekistan later this year.
In the security domain, the two sides expressed their readiness to maintain regular dialogue and build constructive cooperation. They committed to expanding collaboration between their law enforcement agencies, particularly to combat terrorism, separatism, extremism, and drug trafficking.
Building on a shared civilisational heritage, both nations vowed to forge a “transformative cultural partnership” to bridge Central and South Asia. This initiative includes joint heritage preservation projects, the revitalisation of linguistic links between Urdu and Uzbek, and fostering people-to-people contacts through regular cultural festivals and academic exchanges.
The dignitaries expressed satisfaction with sustained collaboration between their national media institutions, noting the successful implementation of a 2022 Broadcasting Agreement and the joint production of a documentary. Future plans include participation in the “Pearl of the Silk Road” International Film Festival and enhancing cooperation through journalist exchanges and coordinated content production.
Both leaders also exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, underscoring that sustained dialogue and peaceful engagement in line with UN Resolutions are essential for addressing longstanding regional disputes and advancing stability and prosperity.