Uzbek Foreign Minister hails Pakistan’s constructive role in mediation, discusses bilateral relations with Dar

Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov on Saturday appreciated Pakistan’s role in peace mediation efforts in the Middle East and discussed bilateral relations in a call with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the two “exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest.”

The ministry added that the foreign ministers discussed Pak-Uzbek relations and regional developments, with Saidov appreciating Pakistan’s “constructive role in mediating regional peace and security.”

“Dar and Saidov agreed to remain in close contact,” the statement said.

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have launched various initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. In February, the two countries signed memorandums of understanding worth $3.4 billion, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inviting Uzbek companies to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s textile, pharmaceutical and other sectors.

Shehbaz, alongside Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, had also announced that the two sides had also signed a protocol aimed at achieving an “ambitious but easily achievable” goal of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion within five years.

Read: Uzbekistan calls for trade expansion

Among the key agreements, a memorandum of understanding between the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan and the Uzbek Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency was signed to strengthen cooperation in the field of pharmaceuticals and regulatory functions.

To strengthen trade relations, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Uzbekistan Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov signed a protocol on expanding the list of goods under the preferential trade agreement, as well as an agreement for the establishment of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Interregional Forum, aimed at strengthening regional and business-to-business cooperation.

In the defense sector, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Uzbek Defense Minister Shukhrat Khalmukhammedov signed an action plan for defense cooperation.

FM Dar received unprecedented international recognition for its diplomatic leadership as Pakistan positioned itself at the center of high-stakes mediation efforts during the escalating Iran-US-Israel crisis.

Learn more: FM Dar emerges as top global diplomatic leader amid Middle East crisis

Senior officials and influential voices from more than ten countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United States, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Egypt, have publicly acknowledged Dar’s role in facilitating ceasefire negotiations and promoting regional stability.

Last month, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace and security in the Middle East and the Gulf region during a meeting with Dar.

Ambassador Zaidong expressed China’s deep gratitude for Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace and security in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

FM Dar also spoke to European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Kallas praised Islamabad’s role in creating diplomatic space, including facilitating the initial ceasefire between the United States and Iran, and expressed the European Union’s (EU) full support for ongoing peace initiatives in Pakistan.