- President Zardari confers Nishan-e-Pakistan on Uzbek President in special investiture ceremony
- Both leaders hold talks focus on trade, connectivity, defence, culture and people-to-people contacts
- Leaders underscore shared history, faith, and cultural heritage as foundation of enduring partnership
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said that Pakistan places great importance on its close and brotherly ties with Uzbekistan, describing the partnership as a natural and enduring one rooted in shared history, culture, and faith.
“Pakistan is committed to elevating bilateral relations to new heights through closer cooperation in connectivity, trade, and people-to-people contacts,” President Zardari said during a bilateral meeting with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, according to a press release from the President’s Office.
During a Special Investiture Ceremony, President @AAliZardari conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in recognition of his contribution to strengthening Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations@PresOfPakistan @PakPMO @CMShehbaz @president_uz @ForeignOfficePk… pic.twitter.com/EzwWubGkP1
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 6, 2026
Later, President Zardari conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civilian award, on President Mirziyoyev in recognition of his contributions to strengthening Pakistan–Uzbekistan relations. The Special Investiture Ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr was attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, federal cabinet members, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, diplomats, parliamentarians, and was followed by a state banquet in honour of the visiting President.
During the meeting, President Zardari described President Mirziyoyev as a visionary statesman whose leadership has transformed Uzbekistan into a modern and prosperous country and whose contributions to regional and international peace are widely recognised. He also acknowledged the Uzbek President’s personal role in bringing Pakistan and Uzbekistan closer.
“Pakistan and Uzbekistan are natural partners with intertwined futures,” President Zardari said, expressing satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with Uzbekistan to strengthen cooperation in trade, connectivity, defence, security, culture, and heritage.
President @AAliZardari said Pakistan is committed to elevating bilateral relations with Uzbekistan to new heights through closer cooperation in connectivity, trade and people-to-people contacts@PresOfPakistan @PakPMO @CMShehbaz @president_uz @ForeignOfficePk @uzbekmfa… pic.twitter.com/yty3NdU5KV
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 6, 2026
He noted that direct air links between the two countries have brought their peoples closer and highlighted the importance of regional connectivity initiatives, including the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan Railway Project, while underscoring the need to address remaining challenges through collective efforts.
President Zardari also highlighted the steady growth in bilateral trade in recent years and emphasised the shared objective of expanding trade to USD 2 billion as agreed by the two sides. He further stressed the importance of enhancing people-to-people contacts, tourism cooperation, and cultural exchanges, drawing on the rich historical and spiritual links between the two nations. He added that collaboration between financial institutions, including banks, should also be strengthened to support trade and investment flows.
Responding, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that Uzbekistan attaches great importance to strengthening friendship and the strategic partnership with Pakistan. He expressed satisfaction at the steady growth in bilateral contacts at various levels, including expansion of trade, joint ventures, and implementation of cooperation projects in priority economic sectors, and directed his ministers to coordinate with their Pakistani counterparts.
President @AAliZardari is conferring the highest award “#NishanEPakistan” to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev@PresOfPakistan @PakPMO @president_uz @ForeignOfficePk @uzbekmfa #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/JKw0RMqovd
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 6, 2026
The Uzbek President emphasised the need to further expand practical cooperation through closer political dialogue, stronger trade, economic and investment ties, and active business exchanges, and invited President Zardari to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan.
He also announced that two additional direct flights would be added between the two countries, increasing the total to six weekly flights, to facilitate people-to-people contacts, tourism, and business exchanges.
