Uzbek FM praises Pakistan’s constructive role in mediation, discusses bilateral relations with Dar

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

“Both Dar and Saidov agreed to remain in close contact,” it said.

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

Shehbaz, along with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, had also announced that both sides had also signed a protocol aimed at achieving an “ambitious but easily achievable” target of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion. within five years.

Read: Uzbekistan calls for expanding trade

Among the key pacts, an MoU between Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority and Uzbekistan’s Agency for Pharmaceutical Industry Development was signed to strengthen cooperation in pharmaceutical products and regulatory functions.

To strengthen trade ties, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov signed a protocol on expanding the list of goods under the preferential trade agreement along with an agreement to establish the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Interregional Forum aimed at strengthening cooperation between business and regional business.

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

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

Read more: FM Dar emerges as a top-ranking global diplomatic leader amid the crisis in the Middle East

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 Gulf region during a meeting with Dar.

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

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