Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to strengthen economic cooperation and translate existing agreements into concrete projects with clear timelines and financing arrangements.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Uzbek Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Ilzat Kasimov in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, today.

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

Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan and Uzbekistan should move from political understanding to bankable projects and measurable economic outcomes.

He stressed that the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway can become a transformative link between Central Asian markets and Pakistan's ports.