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Friday, 6 February, 2026 | 17 Sha’ban, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 213 | 8 Pages | Lahore Edition
PAK-UZBEKISTAN SEAL ‘HISTORIC $2B TRADE DEAL,’ 29 MOUS AS PRESIDENT MIRZIYOYEV ARRIVES IN ISLAMABAD
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PM SHEHBAZ, PRESIDENT MIRZIYOYEV INK PROTOCOL AND 28 AGREEMENTS TO STRENGTHEN TRADE, INVESTMENT, AND REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY
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PM LAUDS MIRZIYOYEV AS ‘MAN OF ACTION,’ DESCRIBING SIGNING OF PROTOCOL AS ‘GREAT MANIFESTATION OF COMMITMENT TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC RELATIONS’
JOINT WORKING GROUP TO BE ESTABLISHED TO FORMULATE FIVE-YEAR ROADMAP FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND INDUSTRIAL COLLABORATION g
TWO LEADERS DUB UZBEKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN–PAKISTAN RAIL PROJECT ‘GAME CHANGER’ FOR CENTRAL ASIA, PAKISTAN TRADE AND CONNECTIVITY
Uzbek President visits GIDS to deepen collaboration in defence, tech and industrial sectors RAWALPINDI
staff report
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ISLAMABAD
salem Jadoon
AKISTAN and Uzbekistan on Thursday agreed to elevate bilateral trade to $2 billion over the next five years, signing 29 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and agreements on the first day of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s two-day state visit to Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Mirziyoyev signed a protocol along with 28 other MoUs and agreements, aimed at enhancing trade, investment, regional cooperation, education,
and cultural exchanges, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Of the 29 documents, 20 were formally exchanged at a ceremony attended by top officials from both sides. ‘Delight at welcoming President Mirziyoyev’ Taking to X, PM Shehbaz expressed delight at welcoming President Mirziyoyev, calling the visit “warm and productive.” He said the discussions covered the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with a special focus on trade, investment, regional connectivity, education, and cultural exchanges.
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President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, along with senior ministers, also visited the Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS) as part of his official visit to Pakistan. Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir “warmly received the president and the delegation and conducted them during the visit to the facility”, a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. During the visit, the President was briefed on the diverse portfolio of GIDS encompassing advanced defence solutions, industrial capabilities, and technological innovations. The delegation toured key facilities and witnessed various defence products, reflecting Pakistan’s growing expertise in indigenous defence production and industrial development, according to the military’s media wing. The visit underscored the shared
commitment of Pakistan and Uzbekistan to deepen collaboration in defence, technology, and industrial sectors. Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing partnerships, knowledge exchange and joint ventures. The visit marked a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties and exploring multifarious avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan. “The visit underscored the shared commitment of Pakistan and Uzbekistan to deepen collaboration in defence, technology, and industrial sectors. Both sides emphasised the importance of enhancing partnerships, knowledge exchange and joint ventures,” the ISPR said. s“The visit marked a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties and exploring multifarious avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan,” it added.
Naqvi, Chinese envoy reaffirm enduring Pak-China strategic partnership, joint counter-terror measures ISLAMABAD
staff report
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Thursday reaffirmed the enduring Pakistan-China strategic partnership, with the Chinese envoy reiterating China’s firm stance against terrorism in all its forms and assuring continued cooperation in Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. The high-level meeting took place at the Ministry of Interior, where Minister Naqvi briefed the ambassador on the security situation in Balochistan, according to a press release issued by the Interior Ministry. Minister Naqvi welcomed Ambassador Zaidong upon his arrival, while the Chinese side strongly condemned the recent terrorist attacks targeting civilians and security forces in Balochistan. The ambassador expressed deep sympathy for the affected families, emphasizing that China “stands in complete solidarity” with Pakistan during this challenging period. The interior minister assured the envoy that providing maximum security to Chinese nationals was Pakistan’s top priority. Briefing the ambassador, Naqvi described the attacks in Balochistan as “organized and premeditated,” noting that security forces responded swiftly and effectively. He highlighted ongoing counter-terrorism operations and enhanced protective measures for Chinese citizens and projects across the country. “A Special Protection Unit is being established exclusively for the security of Chinese nationals,” the minister said, adding that modern Chinese technology will further strengthen coordinated counterterrorism efforts.