The understanding was reached during the 8th Review Session of Pakistan-Uzbekistan Cooperation, chaired by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan. The high-level meeting, held on Monday, was attended by Uzbek Ambassador Alisher Takhtayev, senior federal and provincial government representatives, officials from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), business leaders, and diplomats.
According to a statement, opening the session, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening historical and cultural linkages while expanding economic collaboration across sectors. Khan said Pakistan was accelerating efforts to achieve the target of $2 billion in annual bilateral trade, adding that PM Sharif had instructed that all cooperation frameworks with Uzbekistan be pursued with a sense of urgency and inclusivity.
The Uzbek ambassador expressed his country’s desire to deepen regional integration, describing the connection between Central and South Asian markets as a central pillar of Uzbekistan’s economic policy. He also noted that enhanced trade with Pakistan could open new transit and investment opportunities for both sides.
Pharmaceutical collaboration emerged as a major focus area. The Uzbek side praised Pakistan’s growing pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and expressed interest in sharing technical expertise from Uzbekistan’s Pharma Park model. Industry representatives, however, raised concerns over the slow certification of Pakistani medicines in Uzbekistan. In response, Khan announced the formation of a joint committee comprising the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Association, and Uzbek regulatory bodies to expedite the certification process and resolve related challenges.
Aviation connectivity was another key discussion point. Ambassador Takhtayev proposed the launch of direct flights between Karachi and Uzbekistan to strengthen business and tourism links. Khan endorsed the idea, noting that such flights would unlock new commercial opportunities and potentially establish Uzbekistan as a new gateway between the Gulf region and Europe. He added that the prime minister had directed the concerned ministries and airlines to expedite the launch of direct services and ensure regular operations.
On the financial front, both sides agreed that banking cooperation must be strengthened to facilitate trade flows. The Uzbek representatives highlighted persistent barriers affecting cross-border transactions. In response, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) assured that the matter was being addressed, while Khan announced that the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) would soon open a branch in Uzbekistan to ease financial operations and settlement issues for businesses.