Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for stability in Afghanistan to ensure that the entire region benefits from connectivity projects.

During a joint press conference after meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz stressed the critical need for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan to ensure regional connectivity and security. 

He explicitly urged the Afghan regime to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks against any country, including Pakistan. 

“Afghanistan’s soil must not be allowed to be used by militant groups to attack any other country, including Pakistan,” he said.

The two leaders also announced their commitment to jointly pursue the Trans-Afghan railway project, a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at connecting Central Asia and South Asia. 

This project, described as a ‘game changer’ by PM Sharif, is expected to boost regional trade and people-to-people contact.  A committee will be formed to address the challenges associated with its implementation. 

The meeting also resulted in the signing of multiple agreements to enhance bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in various sectors, including trade, tourism, energy, and culture. The two nations aim to significantly increase their bilateral trade volume in the coming years.

The press conference came at the end of a two-day visit to Uzbekistan by PM Shehbaz. He also extended an invitation to President Mirziyoyev to visit Pakistan.