By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan on Wednesday agreed to form a technical joint group to pave ways for boosting trade and resolving all transit issues.

Pakistan’s caretaker Minister for Commerce and Industries Gohar Ejaz called the tripartite talks in Islamabad a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity and promoting trade between the three countries.

"Honored to sign the Minutes of the First Trilateral Meeting on Trade & Transit between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan held today in Islamabad. A significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity, promoting trade, and fostering cooperation," he said on the social media platform X.

The minister described the outcome of the trilateral talks as "exciting times ahead" for the three countries in terms of trade, transit, and connectivity.

The Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce in a separate statement posted on X said they agreed to form a joint technical group that will meet by next week to pave the way for increased trade among the three countries.

"A document was signed between the three countries on trade and transit issues (and agreed) to strengthening of regional integration through the development of trilateral economic relations and trade and increase of transit facilities and joint investments," it said.

On the second day of the trilateral talks in Pakistan’s capital, the meeting was attended by Gohar Ejaz, Afghan acting Commerce Minister Haji Nooruddin Azizi, and Uzbekistan Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, along with their respective officials.

The three countries also agreed to increase transportation facilities, strengthen and develop the banking system, and food security, and make visa system more friendly for traders and people.