Pakistan and Uzbekistan are aiming to increase annual bilateral trade to $2 billion over the next five years as the two countries deepen economic cooperation and strengthen their strategic partnership, said Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev on Tuesday.

"Our leaders have set an ambitious target of reaching $2 billion in annual bilateral trade in the next five years," the envoy told a reception marking the 34th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence here. Energy minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari was the chief guest at the reception, which was attended by senior officials, diplomats and people from other walks of life.

He said the establishment of the High-Level Council of Strategic Partnership and the signing of 30 bilateral documents during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's state visit reflected the growing institutional framework of cooperation between the two countries. On economic ties, Tukhtaev said both countries were working to create greater opportunities for businesses and investors, with stronger business contacts, investment projects, trade houses and banking links forming key components of their economic cooperation.

He said connectivity was another important pillar of the emerging partnership. Regular passenger services now connect Tashkent with Islamabad and Lahore, while cargo flights have also been introduced. He said additional routes, including Karachi, were expected to increase the frequency of flights between the two countries to nine per week by October 2026. Tukhtaev described the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project as a potentially transformative initiative.