ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has arrived in Pakistan on a two-day official visit and was given a red-carpet welcome at Nur Khan air base. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received the visiting dignitary upon his arrival.

The Foreign Office said President Mirziyoyev is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

During his stay, the Uzbek leader, accompanied by a high-level delegation of ministers and business leaders, will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and also address the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum.

The discussions will focus on reviewing the full scope of bilateral relations and identifying new avenues to deepen cooperation in key sectors, including trade, energy, defence, education, people-to-people exchanges, and regional connectivity.

This marks President Mirziyoyev’s second visit to Pakistan, reflecting the growing momentum in bilateral ties rooted in shared history, faith, and common aspirations for peace and prosperity in Central and South Asia.

In February last year, both countries pledged to raise bilateral trade from $400 million to $2 billion, while also exploring opportunities in investment, connectivity, and tourism during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Tashkent.

Both leaders also highlighted efforts to advance the Trans-Afghan Railway project, aimed at linking Central Asia with South Asia. Prime Minister Shehbaz described the initiative as a “game changer” for regional trade and connectivity.

The prime minister thanked Uzbekistan for its warm hospitality and stressed that the centuries-old bond between the two nations continues to grow, with investment and trade at the heart of the strengthened partnership.