Uzbekistan and Pakistan to Establish Joint Transport and Logistics Company

Shahbaz Sharif and Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Photo: Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif have agreed to establish a joint transport and logistics company aimed at increasing cargo turnover, including transit shipments. The decision was announced during the leaders’ meeting in Tashkent, according to the press service of the Uzbek head of state.

The initiative stems from the growing volume of freight transport along the multimodal corridor linking Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Over the past few years, cargo traffic along this route has increased fivefold. The two sides also emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to advance the Trans-Afghan Railway project.

Mirziyoyev and Sharif discussed various aspects of strengthening the strategic partnership between their countries. Official data shows that bilateral trade surpassed $400 million last year, while the number of joint enterprises rose to 130. Trade houses have opened in Tashkent and Karachi, and direct flights between the Uzbek capital and Lahore have resumed.

However, both leaders see untapped potential in economic cooperation. They approved a roadmap aimed at boosting trade turnover to $2 billion. Key priorities include expanding the range of goods under the Preferential Trade Agreement, simplifying phytosanitary and quarantine requirements, streamlining customs procedures, integrating e-commerce platforms, and improving interbank payment mechanisms.

Plans were also discussed for joint projects in pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, agriculture, agricultural machinery, geology and mineral resources, and the textile industry. In addition, the two sides agreed to enhance cultural and humanitarian cooperation by organizing reciprocal cultural weeks and tourism promotion events.

Mirziyoyev proposed hosting a bilateral Regional Forum in Uzbekistan, while both leaders confirmed that the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission would take place in July in Lahore.

Following the meeting, Mirziyoyev and Sharif signed a Joint Declaration and a Protocol establishing a Bilateral High-Level Strategic Partnership Council, aimed at deepening Uzbek-Pakistani multifaceted cooperation.

Additionally, several other agreements were signed, including:

✔️ A cooperation agreement on science, technology, and innovation;
✔️ A visa-free travel agreement for diplomatic passport holders;
✔️ A cooperation agreement between the interior ministries;
✔️ A cooperation agreement on vocational education;
✔️ A cooperation agreement on youth policy;
✔️ A cooperation agreement between national news agencies;
✔️ Agreements and partnerships between diplomatic academies, as well as between the cities of Tashkent and Lahore.