Islamabad: Pakistan is seeking to bolster its defense cooperation with Uzbekistan, as conveyed by Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif during a meeting with Uzbekistan's Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev in Islamabad today. The Defense Minister underscored the significance Pakistan places on its relationship with Uzbekistan, noting that these ties are rooted in shared historical, cultural, and religious bonds. According to Radio Pakistan, Defense Minister Asif expressed Pakistan's intention to engage with Uzbekistan in areas of mutual benefit, particularly in defense collaboration. Ambassador Tukhtaev, during the meeting, reaffirmed the commitment of both the people and the government of Uzbekistan to work closely with Pakistan, aiming to further solidify the bilateral relations between the two nations.