Awais Leghari highlights potential in electricity connectivity, renewable energy, hydropower and energy infrastructure; calls for greater trade, investment and joint ventures
ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, September 1, 2026 (WNP): Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari on Tuesday said Pakistan and Uzbekistan possess vast potential to expand cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in electricity connectivity, renewable energy, hydropower, energy infrastructure and investment.
Addressing a reception marking the 35th Independence Day of Uzbekistan, the minister said stronger energy cooperation could become an important component of the two countries’ broader economic partnership and regional integration.
Leghari warmly felicitated President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the government and people of Uzbekistan on the occasion and expressed Pakistan’s best wishes for Uzbekistan’s continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress.
He said Pakistan deeply admired the achievements of the Uzbek people and valued the historic bonds between the two countries, rooted in shared Islamic culture and civilization.
The minister noted that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence, while the two countries formally established diplomatic relations in 1992. He added that Pakistan and Uzbekistan would mark the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in May 2027.
Leghari said bilateral relations had evolved into a strong partnership based on mutual respect, shared historical and cultural values and common interests, with cooperation expanding across trade, investment, energy, connectivity, education, science and technology and culture.
He said the relationship had gained fresh momentum in recent years following Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Uzbekistan in February 2025 and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Pakistan in February 2026.
The minister said the signing of various agreements and memoranda of understanding covering trade, mining, information technology, education, agriculture, maritime affairs and defence reflected the growing depth and diversity of bilateral cooperation.
Highlighting the potential of the economic partnership, Leghari said Pakistan and Uzbekistan had set an ambitious target for increasing bilateral trade and stressed the need to facilitate greater interaction between the business communities of both countries while encouraging investment and joint ventures.
“As Federal Minister for Energy, I particularly see significant scope for expanding cooperation in the energy sector,” Leghari said.
He identified energy infrastructure, electricity connectivity, renewable energy, hydropower and investment as key areas for enhanced collaboration, along with the exchange of expertise and experience in developing resilient and sustainable energy systems.
The minister also highlighted regional connectivity as central to the shared vision of Pakistan and Uzbekistan, saying Pakistan provided Uzbekistan with a gateway to the Arabian Sea and international markets, while Uzbekistan offered Pakistan access to the growing markets of Central Asia.
Leghari said the two countries were also working closely through the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), reflecting their shared commitment to peace, stability, dialogue and regional economic cooperation.
He appreciated Uzbekistan’s constructive role in promoting regional connectivity and prosperity and expressed confidence that Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations would continue to grow from strength to strength.
The minister said the countries’ shared history provided a strong foundation, while their common interests and expanding economic and connectivity links offered new opportunities for a stronger partnership.
He called for joint efforts to translate the existing potential into greater trade, investment, energy cooperation, connectivity and prosperity for the peoples of both countries.
Reiterating his heartfelt congratulations to President Mirziyoyev, the Uzbek government and people on the 35th anniversary of independence, Leghari expressed hope that Uzbekistan would continue to progress and prosper and that its people would enjoy peace, stability, happiness and success.
“May the Pakistan-Uzbekistan friendship and our enduring brotherly ties continue to flourish for generations to come,” he said.
