ISLAMABAD — In a major shift reflecting the evolving economic landscape of Central and South Asia, 80 Pakistani-origin companies have officially registered in Uzbekistan over the past year. This brings the total number of Pakistani firms operating in the country to 228, according to data shared by Uzbekistan’s Minister for Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, during the 10th Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) session in Islamabad on February 2–3, 2026.
The $2 Billion Ambition
The meeting between Minister Kudratov and Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan set a concrete roadmap for the next three years:
- The Target: Both nations have pledged to scale bilateral trade to $2 billion (up from approximately $450 million in 2025).
- Balanced Growth: Last year, bilateral trade grew by 10%, with Pakistan’s exports to Uzbekistan rising by 12% and Uzbek exports to Pakistan by 8%.
- PTA Expansion: The list of items under the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is being expanded from 34 to 92 categories, with a long-term goal of covering 100 products.
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan held a comprehensive bilateral meeting with Arman Shaqqaliev, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to review the state of Pakistan–Kazakhstan trade relations and explore concrete pathways for expanding… pic.twitter.com/X5lKRWVUsa
— The Diplomatic Insight (@DiplomaticIns) February 4, 2026
Why Uzbekistan? Priority Sectors for Relocation
The relocation trend is primarily driven by Uzbekistan’s competitive energy costs, raw material availability, and its role as a gateway to the Eurasian market.
- Textiles: Pakistani garment experts are partnering with Uzbek mills to process cotton more deeply, aiming for a $2 billion investment in the sector.
- Pharmaceuticals: Firms like Novugen, Bio Labs, and Caraway have established footprints in the Tashkent Pharma Park, drawn by tax breaks and duty-free equipment imports.
- Agriculture & Food Security: Uzbekistan is eyeing investment in Pakistan’s meat production and rice cultivation, while Pakistan remains a top market for Uzbek fruits and legumes.
- Mining: Pakistan is seeking Uzbek expertise in geological surveying and modern exploration technologies to unlock its own mineral potential.
The “Northern Route”
Connectivity remains the “make-or-break” factor for the $2 billion target:
- Trans-Afghan Railway: A feasibility study for the railway linking Uzbekistan to the ports of Karachi and Gwadar is underway.
- Air Links: Passenger flights from Islamabad and Lahore have increased to four times weekly, with plans to initiate Karachi-Tashkent cargo services soon.
- Logistics Hubs: The two sides are exploring the use of Kashgar as a logistics and warehousing hub to bypass traditional transit bottlenecks.
Uzbekistan-Pakistan Trade Profile (Feb 2026)
| Metric | Status |
| Total Pakistani Companies | 228 (80 newly registered in 2025-26) |
| Bilateral Trade (2025) | ~$450 Million |
| Upcoming Visit | President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (Expected mid-February 2026) |
| Financial Infrastructure | National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) branch to open in Tashkent in 2026 |
“Pakistan confidently ranks among Uzbekistan’s leading trade partners in South Asia… the goal is to reach $2 billion in three years.” > — Haroon Akhtar Khan, SAPM on Industries
With President Mirziyoyev’s visit just around the corner, a new “Supreme Council of Strategic Partnership” is expected to be launched.
You May Also Like: Cement and Oil Sales Surge in January 2026
