Pakistan and Uzbekistan strengthen cooperation in livestock, agriculture sectors

Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed to enhance cooperation in the livestock and agriculture sectors following high-level discussions held in Lahore between government officials, industry representatives and academic experts.

According to the City42 report, the agreement was discussed during a meeting at the Syndicate Hall of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Lahore, where a senior delegation from the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, was hosted. The delegation was led by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Karakalpakstan (Uzbekistan) Farkhod Urazbaevich Ermanov.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Livestock Ahmed Aziz Tarar said Punjab offered vast investment opportunities in the livestock sector and highlighted the province’s significant potential for international collaboration.

The visiting delegation also toured the Punjab Livestock Department, where officials received a detailed briefing on livestock resources, breeding programmes and investment prospects in the province.

During the discussions, Uzbek representatives expressed strong interest in importing high-quality livestock, beef breeds, female breeding animals and sheep with superior genetic characteristics from Pakistan.

Members of the Uzbek delegation, including prospective farmers and investors, indicated their intention to import around 20,000 animals during the initial phase of cooperation. 

Officials noted that Uzbekistan has already imported approximately 4,000 tonnes of meat from Pakistan and is interested in increasing the volume of future imports.

Representatives also discussed opportunities for joint research initiatives between the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and institutions in Uzbekistan.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Agriculture Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Tuytaev Alisher Hakimovich, members of the Uzbek delegation, progressive farmers, investors, technical experts and senior officials from relevant institutions.

At the conclusion of the event, Secretary Livestock Ahmed Aziz Tarar presented a commemorative shield to the visiting delegation in recognition of the growing partnership between the two countries.