Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the highest civil award, Nishan-e-Pakistan, for Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Thursday.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received an Honorary Doctorate and professorship from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) during his visit to Pakistan. The university honours him for his effort to strengthen ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
President Mirziyoyev thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality during his visit. “I cannot fully describe the splendour of the reception,” he said, highlighting the historic importance of the trip. He called receiving the honorary academic awards both an honour and a responsibility.
Uzbek president announced that his government will set up a NUST chair at its Mining University, showing the improved cooperation in education and technology between the countries.
Also Read, Pakistan, Uzbekistan agree to boost trade and economic cooperation
Pakistan and Uzbekistan held the 10th session of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) in Islamabad. Haroon Akhtar Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production, and Laziz Kudratov, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, jointly chaired the meeting.
During the session, both sides reviewed their bilateral relations and agreed on a plan to strengthen cooperation in key economic and social sectors. Officials expressed satisfaction over the progress made since the last IGC meeting in 2025 and showed commitment to further expand trade, investment, and economic ties.
Pakistan and Uzbekistan stressed the importance of the Preferential Trade Agreement and welcomed progress under Phase II concessions. They agreed to speed up institutional work to reach the target of $2 billion in bilateral trade.
