A virtual meeting of the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Parliamentary Friendship Group took place on 25 November 2025 at Parliament House, Islamabad, convened by Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan with Uzbek members led by Senator Kutbiddin Burkhanov joining by video link. Senator Kamran Murtaza, Miss Misbah Khar, Advisor to the Chairman Senate and Secretary of the Friendship Groups, and Ambassador of Uzbekistan Alisher Tukhtaev participated alongside representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce.
The Uzbek delegation highlighted longstanding historical and cultural links and underlined the role of parliamentary engagement in strengthening bilateral ties. Senator Kutbiddin Burkhanov congratulated Pakistan on hosting the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference and commended the contributions of the Chairman Senate and Miss Misbah Khar to parliamentary dialogue. He welcomed the IPC theme of Peace, Security and Development as highly relevant to Pakistan Uzbekistan relations.
Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan stressed the significant potential to expand trade, cultural exchange and mutual defence and security cooperation amid regional challenges. He emphasised regional connectivity as a priority and reiterated Pakistan’s strong interest in the development of the Trans-Afghan Pakistan Railway as a key corridor linking Central and South Asia. He also highlighted the role of cultural events in promoting people-to-people contact given the shared heritage of both countries.
Participants noted a rising trade volume between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and agreed on a mutual aspiration to gradually increase bilateral trade to USD 2 billion annually. The meeting identified investment opportunities in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, defence, textiles and tourism and welcomed ongoing efforts toward tax integration to facilitate trade and reduce barriers for investors from both sides.
Miss Misbah Khar drew attention to shared challenges and emerging opportunities in trade, development and security. She praised the recent visit of the Deputy Chairman of Oliy Majlis Uzbekistan, Senator Sodyq Safoev, and pointed to the commencement of direct flights between Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a practical step deepening ties and enabling greater cooperation in business, education and culture.
Both delegations hailed the meeting as a constructive step toward enhanced parliamentary cooperation and agreed to regular exchanges at parliamentary, business and educational levels. Invitations were exchanged for reciprocal visits, and both sides reaffirmed strong parliamentary support for broader cooperation across culture, history, trade, development and regional peace, underlining a shared commitment to deepen Pakistan Uzbekistan relations.
