In a significant step toward enhancing bilateral energy cooperation, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik met with the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Mr Alisher Tukhtaev, on Friday. The high-level meeting underscored a shared commitment to strengthening ties, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

During the meeting, Minister Malik proposed the creation of a Pakistan-Uzbekistan Energy Working Group to streamline collaboration and ensure focused progress in key areas of the energy sector. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to support Uzbek investments in oil and gas exploration and highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s consistent emphasis on expanding strategic cooperation with Uzbekistan.

‘Pakistan is keen to transform the strong political understanding between our nations into tangible partnerships,’ said Malik. He welcomed Uzbek companies to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s energy market and expressed interest in facilitating joint ventures and knowledge exchange initiatives.

Ambassador Tukhtaev praised Prime Minister Sharif’s recent successful visit to Uzbekistan, describing it as a milestone that has paved the way for stronger economic engagement. He reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s ambition to raise bilateral trade to $2 billion in the coming years, identifying energy as a cornerstone of that growth.

He also outlined promising avenues for collaboration, including joint exploration projects, technical training programs for Pakistani professionals in Uzbekistan, and collaborative research in synthetic fuel and polymer production. The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to accelerating practical cooperation in the energy domain, emphasizing a shared vision for a transformative partnership that serves the long-term interests of both nations.