President of Uzbekistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan highly commend the outcomes of productive talks.

Following the first meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Council held in Islamabad, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif delivered statements to media representatives.

At the beginning of his remarks, the Leader of Uzbekistan expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the invitation to pay a state visit to the country and for the productive talks that took place.

It was particularly emphasized that the dynamically developing Pakistan is a reliable strategic partner of Uzbekistan. Our country sincerely welcomes the large-scale reforms being carried out under the Prime Minister's leadership to improve public welfare, ensure accelerated economic growth, and strengthen the country's international standing.

It was noted with satisfaction that the current visit is taking place in the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Uzbek-Pakistani strategic partnership.

Over the past 5 years, the volume of bilateral trade has increased 2.5 times, while the number of joint ventures and projects has grown by nearly threefold. The goal has been set to increase the trade turnover to 2 billion US dollars in the near future. A portfolio of promising trade and investment agreements worth 3.5 billion dollars has been formed.

Following the negotiations, a Joint Declaration and around 30 important documents in priority areas of cooperation were signed.

A meeting with representatives of leading Pakistani companies will take place tomorrow.

The mutual commitment to strengthening connectivity between Central and South Asia through consistent development of regional cooperation was reaffirmed. Readiness to continue mutual support within international and regional organizations was noted.

The President of Uzbekistan expressed his appreciation for Pakistan's active support for Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization and highly praised Pakistan's efforts as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025–2026 to ensure peace and international stability.

An agreement was reached to expand cooperation in the pharmaceutical, light, electrical, mining, and food industries, as well as in agriculture. Particular attention was paid to the development of transport and logistics links and the creation of favorable conditions for business communities.

To further deepen interregional cooperation, a decision was made to hold the first Forum of Regions in Uzbekistan this year.

In addition, plans are in place to organize culture weeks and film festivals, as well as joint initiatives to study and promote the scientific and educational heritage of great thinkers.

Gratitude was once again expressed for the naming of one of the streets in Islamabad as "Tashkent".

In turn, the President announced the decision to establish a park in the capital of Pakistan named after the great statesman and poet Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, as a gift to the Pakistani people on the eve of the country's Independence celebration.

The Leader of Uzbekistan expressed his appreciation to the Pakistani side for conferring upon him the title of Honorary Doctor of the National University of Science and Technology of Pakistan.

Concluding his remarks, Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated on the forthcoming Pakistan Day and the holy month of Ramadan.