RAWALPINDI, Thursday, July 3, 2025 (WNP): Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, on Thursday called on Federal Minister for Defence Production, Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the defence industry.

During the meeting, the federal minister welcomed the Uzbek envoy and reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep appreciation for its longstanding and friendly relations with Uzbekistan, according to an official press release.

Ambassador Tukhtaev expressed his gratitude to the minister for the warm reception and reiterated his government’s commitment to enhancing collaboration across various sectors—particularly in defence production.

Both sides emphasized the importance of exploring avenues for joint ventures in the defence industry, underscoring the potential for mutual growth through technological collaboration and capacity building.

In a significant development, the two countries agreed to develop a “Roadmap of Defence Industrial Cooperation”, aimed at formalizing long-term strategic engagement between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in this critical sector. The roadmap is expected to be signed during the upcoming session of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group, scheduled to take place in August 2025 in Tashkent.

The meeting reflects the growing momentum in bilateral ties and the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen defence collaboration as part of broader regional connectivity and security cooperation.