Pakistan and Uzbekistan have underlined the need of global efforts to provide economic and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to avoid economic crisis in the war-torn country.

The resolve came during a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing today.

The two leaders agreed that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is vital for regional stability as well as for realization of infrastructure and connectivity projects.

They exchanged views on entire gamut of bilateral relations based on shared bonds of faith, history and culture and marked by cordiality and close cooperation.

The two leaders also discussed cooperation in education and culture, and recognized progress on joint research and media ventures, including joint film on Baburi heritage and dubbing of Pakistani dramas in Uzbek language.

The Prime Minister underscored importance of enhanced trade and economic cooperation, particularly through operationalzing the landmark bilateral Transit Trade Agreement and finalizing the Preferential Trade Agreement. He also reiterated Pakistan's full support to the Trans-Afghan railway project and agreed to take it forward over the coming months.

The Prime Minister also underlined the need to enhance tourism, take all steps for resuming direct flights, strengthen banking links, and facilitate visas procedures.

Earlier, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain, in a tweet, said that Prime Minister Imran Khan also held meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang in Beijing and discussed matters pertaining to Kashmir and Afghanistan.