The President of Uzbekistan, H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will pay a State Visit to Pakistan from March 3-4, 2022, at the request of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The President will be joined by a high-level group that includes the Foreign Minister, several Cabinet members, senior government officials, and representatives from business and the media. This will be President Mirziyoyev’s first trip to Pakistan since taking office in 2016.
President Mirziyoyev’s state visit will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. During their visit, the two presidents will discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, including political, trade, and economic cooperation, connectivity, education, culture, security, and defence. They’ll have a wide-ranging discussion about important regional and international topics. A number of bilateral agreements/memorandums of understanding will be inked.
The Prime Minister will meet with Uzbekistan’s President one-on-one, followed by delegation-level meetings and a Joint Media Stakeout. A State Banquet will also be held in his honour by the Prime Minister. President Mirziyoyev will meet separately with Pakistan’s President.
The two countries would work to improve political and strategic connections, as well as trade, transportation, and economic ties, connectivity, and educational and cultural cooperation. A major topic of discussion will be the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, which will connect Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. There will also be constructive discussions with top business leaders from both countries.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan share a common faith, a common history, and cultural commonalities. At regional and international fora, particularly the UN, OIC, ECO, and SCO, the two countries have worked closely together.
The 7th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission and the 2nd Joint Business Forum are set to take place in Islamabad on March 2, 2022, prior to the President’s visit. Pakistan has stepped up its engagement with Central Asian countries as part of its “Vision Central Asia” policy, which focuses on five major areas: political and diplomatic connections, commerce and investment, energy and connectivity, security and defence, and people-to-people relations.
Over the last few years, the relationship between Pakistan and Uzbekistan has improved. In July 2021, Prime Minister Imran Khan paid a visit to Uzbekistan. On the eve of the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on February 5, 2022, the two presidents met in Beijing.
