title:Pakistan Uzbekistan Boost Defence Ties With Key MoUs Signed
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Uzbekistan have taken a significant step tostrengthen their strategic partnership by signing multiple agreements, witha prominent focus on enhancing defence cooperation through an action planand related memoranda of understanding. During Uzbek President ShavkatMirziyoyev’s recent high-level visit to Islamabad, twenty documents wereexchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marking amilestone in bilateral relations that span historical, cultural, and nowincreasingly security-oriented domains. This development underscores bothnations’ commitment to regional stability and mutual security interests inCentral and South Asia.
The cornerstone of the recent engagements includes an action planspecifically dedicated to defence cooperation, signed between the defenceministries of the two countries. This plan outlines structuredcollaboration in areas such as military training, technical exchanges, andjoint initiatives to build capacity. Experts view this as a naturalprogression from earlier pacts, including the 2022 Agreement onMilitary-Technical Cooperation, which was ratified subsequently and haspaved the way for deeper operational ties. Such frameworks aim to fostertrust and interoperability between the armed forces amid evolvinggeopolitical dynamics in the broader region.
Beyond defence, the agreements cover a wide array of sectors critical tosustainable development and bilateral prosperity. These include ecology,climate change mitigation, and disaster risk reduction, reflecting sharedvulnerabilities to environmental challenges in mountainous and arid zones.Cooperation in disaster management was formalized to enable joint responsemechanisms, knowledge sharing, and resource pooling during naturalcalamities, which have affected both nations in recent years.
Agriculture emerged as another priority area, with protocols established tofacilitate trade and technical collaboration. A specific protocol onsanitary requirements for fruit exports addresses phytosanitary standards,aiming to boost Pakistan’s agricultural exports to Uzbekistan whileensuring quality compliance. This move aligns with efforts to diversifytrade baskets and reduce barriers in perishable goods, contributing to foodsecurity objectives in Central Asia.
Mining and geosciences cooperation was also formalized through dedicatedmemoranda, focusing on exploration, technology transfer, and joint venturesin mineral resources. Uzbekistan’s rich deposits and Pakistan’s expertisein geological surveying offer complementary strengths, potentiallyunlocking investment opportunities and enhancing resource managementpractices in line with modern sustainable standards.
Humanitarian and legal frameworks received attention with agreements on thetransfer of sentenced persons, enabling smoother repatriation processes andconsular support. This reflects a maturing bilateral relationship attentiveto citizen welfare and judicial cooperation across borders.
Efforts to combat transnational threats were bolstered through cooperationon countering drug trafficking. The memorandum emphasizes intelligencesharing, joint operations, and capacity building to disrupt illicitnetworks that exploit regional routes, posing risks to public health andsecurity in both countries.
The signing ceremony highlighted the strategic intent behind these pacts,exchanged amid high-level presence that included top leadership from bothsides. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Mirziyoyev oversaw theprocess, signaling strong political will to translate documents intoactionable outcomes. This visit builds on previous engagements, includingreciprocal high-level trips that have progressively elevated ties tocomprehensive strategic levels.
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Analysts note that enhanced defence cooperation serves broader regionalconnectivity goals, complementing ongoing projects like theUzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway corridor. While not a formalalliance, these steps promote stability, counter common threats, andsupport economic integration linking South and Central Asia.
The breadth of agreements demonstrates a holistic approach, moving beyondtraditional diplomacy to practical collaboration in security, environment,economy, and people-centric domains. Implementation mechanisms, includingjoint commissions and regular reviews, are expected to ensure sustainedprogress and measurable results in the coming years.
Pakistan’s outreach to Central Asian states has gained momentum, withUzbekistan emerging as a key partner due to shared cultural heritage fromthe Silk Route era and mutual interests in peaceful regional development.These pacts reinforce that trajectory, positioning both nations to benefitfrom enhanced cooperation amid global shifts.
Overall, the recent accords represent a forward-looking framework thatprioritizes defence enhancement alongside multifaceted development goals,promising long-term dividends for bilateral relations and regional peace.
Source:https://www.dawn.com/news/1971221/pakistan-uzbekistan-sign-28-agreements-and-mous-after-president-mirziyoyevs-arrival-in-islamabad
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