Lahore: President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met the Governor of Tashkent region, Zoir Mirzaev, who arrived in Lahore with a seven-member delegation.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to declare Punjab and Tashkent as sister provinces and decided to form a special committee to strengthen cooperation between the two regions.
The discussions focused on expanding economic collaboration in several sectors, including tourism, agriculture, livestock, meat processing, beverages, citrus fruit production and other industries.
The Uzbek delegation also proposed establishing a Babur Park in Lahore, a suggestion that was discussed during the meeting.
Governor Mirzaev praised the efforts of the Punjab government, particularly Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, for restoring Mughal-era historical buildings in Lahore and promoting tourism and heritage preservation.
Maryam Nawaz accepted an invitation to visit Uzbekistan and thanked the Uzbek side for the gesture.
Message from Uzbekistan’s leadership
The Tashkent governor conveyed good wishes from the President of Uzbekistan to the people of Pakistan, particularly the residents of Punjab.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s cultural ties with Uzbekistan and said he considered meeting Nawaz Sharif an honor. Mirzaev expressed hope for stronger social and economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to the governor, Uzbekistan currently hosts around 2,500 companies operating with partners from 74 countries, while 22 companies with Pakistani investment are already working in sectors such as textiles, agriculture and meat processing.
He also highlighted the demand for textile products, particularly polyester, in Uzbekistan and invited Pakistani companies to explore partnership opportunities.
Cultural and historical ties highlighted
Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistanis take pride in Uzbekistan’s cultural and academic heritage, noting that Samarkand has historically been a center of knowledge and craftsmanship.
He also remarked that Uzbek cuisine, especially pilaf (plov), is popular among Pakistanis.
Sharif referred to the historical connection between the two regions, recalling that the founder of the Mughal Empire in the subcontinent came from the Ferghana Valley, a region that is now part of modern-day Uzbekistan.
He said Lahore has a history stretching back thousands of years and remains close to his heart, adding that during his tenure as prime minister he frequently visited the city on weekends.
Expanding economic cooperation
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said Uzbekistan is a friendly country and Pakistan seeks to further strengthen social and economic ties with it.
She highlighted Punjab’s economic potential, noting that the province accounts for about 70 percent of Pakistan’s agricultural production and hosts major industrial centers such as Sialkot, Wazirabad and Faisalabad.
Maryam Nawaz said Pakistan’s rice is considered among the best in the world, while maize and wheat are also major crops in Punjab. She added that the provincial government is focusing on value-added agricultural and livestock products.
According to the chief minister, around 300,000 livestock in Punjab are suitable for meat exports, and significant investments have been made to improve meat quality.
She also emphasized Pakistan’s growing strength in value-added textiles, noting that products such as bed sheets and towels from Pakistan are widely exported around the world.
Maryam Nawaz expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan could create new opportunities in trade, tourism and investment.
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