A high-level Uzbek parliamentary delegation led by Mr. Nuriddin Ismoilov, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, arrived in Islamabad on 29 September 2025 at the invitation of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The Speaker warmly welcomed the delegation and highlighted the historic bonds between the two countries grounded in shared faith, culture and longstanding civilizational ties.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized that parliamentary diplomacy is vital for promoting peace, regional stability and development, and he underlined the role of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in strengthening legislative cooperation. He invited Uzbekistan to capitalise on Pakistan’s strategic location and access to seaports such as Gwadar and Karachi to expand trade and connectivity, while praising Uzbekistan’s recent hosting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union conference and calling for a more proactive Parliamentary Assembly of the Economic Cooperation Organization (PAECO).
Addressing shared challenges, the Speaker noted Pakistan’s limited contribution to climate change but severe exposure to its impacts, lauding the National Disaster Management Authority for its response during recent floods and urging regional collaboration on environmental resilience. He strongly condemned human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the Israeli military action in Gaza, stressing that enduring peace requires just resolutions of the Kashmir and Palestine disputes and urging the international community and the Muslim Ummah to support the oppressed.
The Speaker recalled that Pakistan responded to Indian aggression in a firm and balanced manner and that a ceasefire was reached following India’s request. He credited national unity and the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces for the country’s resilient defence and the diplomatic outcome that followed.
On regional security, he urged Afghanistan to prevent the use of its territory for terrorist activities and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to expand trade, investment and economic collaboration. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq noted that the expected arrival of parliamentary delegations from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Iran in the coming month reflects growing international confidence in Pakistan’s democratic institutions.
In response, Mr. Nuriddin Ismoilov expressed gratitude for the warm reception, praised Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s leadership in advancing parliamentary diplomacy, and recognised Pakistan’s strategic importance for trade corridors, energy cooperation and connectivity. He highlighted shared experiences of combating terrorism and called for joint strategies on climate change to safeguard regional stability. Speaker Ismoilov described Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Uzbekistan as a milestone that has injected fresh momentum into bilateral political, economic and parliamentary cooperation.
The Uzbek delegation also toured the Parliament House corridors, signed the official guest book at the National Assembly and exchanged souvenirs, reaffirming that closer parliamentary engagement will strengthen bonds between the peoples of Pakistan and Uzbekistan and advance peace, regional integration and shared prosperity.
