Islamabad : Pakistan and Uzbekistan have signed a protocol on establishment of Joint Security Commission to enhance bilateral cooperation in security related matters.

The signing ceremony, held in Islamabad on Tuesday, was followed by the inaugural session of the Commission formed under the protocol.

Secretary of the Security Council of Uzbekistan Lt. Gen. Victor Makhmudov and Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Dr. Moeed Yusuf led the respective delegations.

The protocol covers wide-ranging security related matters of mutual interest and establishes coordination mechanism between Pakistan’s National Security Division and the Security Council of Uzbekistan under their respective heads.

During the inaugural session, both sides discussed various aspects of the newly formed joint commission and the way forward for making the commission effective and mutually beneficial.

The evolving situation in Afghanistan and the need to remain constructively engaged was also discussed.

The second session of the Joint Security Commission will be held in Uzbekistan next year.