ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Monday agreed to establish a joint committee aimed at accelerating pharmaceutical trade and resolving regulatory hurdles, as both nations renewed their commitment to deepen economic cooperation across multiple sectors.
The decision was taken during the 8th Review Session of Pakistan-Uzbekistan Cooperation, chaired by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan. The meeting was attended by Uzbek Ambassador Alisher Takhtayev, senior federal and provincial officials, representatives of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, business leaders and diplomats.
وزیر اعظم کے معاون خصوصی ہارون اختر خان نے پاکستان۔اوزبکستان تعاون کے آٹھویں ریویو سیشن کی اعلیٰ سطحی اجلاس کی صدارت کی
اوزبکستان کے سفیر علیشیر تختیو بھی اجلاس میں شریک
اجلاس میں پاکستان اور اوزبکستان کی مشترکہ تاریخ اور ثقافتی روابط کو مزید مضبوط کرنے پر اتفاق pic.twitter.com/GrXGQfz8lA
— M/o Industries & Production (@Pak_MoIP) November 17, 2025
Under the new arrangement, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), its Uzbek counterpart and the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Association (PMA) will form a committee focused on expediting approvals and addressing concerns related to the slow certification of Pakistani medicines in Uzbekistan. SAPM Khan assured pharmaceutical stakeholders that the certification process would be fast-tracked to remove bottlenecks affecting exports.
The two sides reviewed progress in key sectors, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, mining and information technology. With Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government pushing to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion, both delegations reiterated the need for streamlined procedures and enhanced market access. Ambassador Takhtayev said that improving connectivity between Central and South Asia remained a “central objective” for both nations.
You May Also Like: India and Pakistan Blind Women Cricketers Showcase Sportsmanship at Groundbreaking T20 Tournament
Aviation ties discussed
Strengthening aviation connectivity emerged as a major point of discussion. The Uzbek envoy expressed strong interest in launching direct flights between Karachi and Uzbekistan, noting that improved air links would boost trade, tourism and business travel. SAPM Khan endorsed the proposal, saying direct routes could unlock new commercial corridors and position Uzbekistan as a viable gateway for travel between the Gulf region and Europe.
Banking integration emphasised
The session also highlighted longstanding banking constraints hindering bilateral trade. The Uzbek side noted that existing financial barriers continued to complicate transactions for businesses. Pakistani officials acknowledged the issue, emphasising that banking integration was essential for sustainable economic cooperation.
Representatives of the State Bank of Pakistan assured the meeting that steps were being taken to resolve the challenges, adding that several local banks were prepared to facilitate trade. It was also announced that the National Bank of Pakistan would open a branch in Uzbekistan to enable smoother cross-border financial operations.
The discussions concluded with both nations reaffirming their commitment to strengthening economic, logistical and regulatory cooperation to advance regional connectivity and expand bilateral trade.
Check out our latest video:
