Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, who is in Mongolia to attend the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Programme , held a meeting with a delegation from Uzbekistan led by Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Ilzat Kasimov.

The meeting focused on regional connectivity, investment and mobilisation of international financing, with particular emphasis on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway.

Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan and Uzbekistan should move from political understanding to bankable projects and measurable economic outcomes, stressing that the UAP Railway could become a transformative link between Central Asian markets and Pakistan’s ports.

He called for expediting the feasibility study, identifying multilateral and bilateral financing, and developing a clear implementation roadmap. He proposed a Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Financing Coordination Mechanism to jointly engage international financial institutions and development partners for priority regional projects.

The Minister said the UAP Railway should be developed as an integrated economic corridor, linking railways, highways, logistics, ports and industrial centres. He also called for greater investment-led trade and joint ventures in areas including textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, minerals, engineering and IT.

“Our objective should be simple: connect our markets, mobilise investment, develop projects and deliver tangible economic benefits to both countries,” Ahsan Iqbal said.

Both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening Pakistan-Uzbekistan economic cooperation and translating existing agreements into concrete projects with clear timelines and financing arrangements.