Pakistan and Uzbekistan have set an ambitious target of raising bilateral trade to $2 billion within the next five years, while direct air connectivity between the two countries is expected to expand to nine weekly flights by October 2026, signalling a major push to deepen economic and strategic ties. The announcement came as Uzbekistan marked its 35th Independence Day at a grand reception hosted by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad, attended by Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari as chief guest, senior government officials, diplomats, parliamentarians and business leaders. Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev said that the friendship and trust between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif remained the main driving force behind the growing bilateral relationship. He said the two leaders had held another productive meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, reaffirming their commitment to implementing existing agreements and further strengthening the strategic partnership. The ambassador further said Uzbekistan welcomed Pakistan’s assumption of the chairmans
