ISLAMABAD: Uzbekistan and Pakistan are witnessing one of the most active periods in their bilateral relations, with the two countries seeking to deepen economic, trade, transport and people-to-people links, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev said on the occasion of his country’s 35th Independence Day.
Addressing a reception held in Islamabad, the ambassador said the two countries shared centuries-old historical, cultural and religious ties that were now being transformed into a modern strategic partnership based on mutual trust and common interests.
At the ceremony, guests were treated to Uzbekistan’s signature dishes and enjoyed a special cultural experience. Big screens showcased traditional Uzbek arts, promoting the country’s landscapes, culture and people. The celebrations highlighted Uzbekistan’s cultural heritage, rapid modernisation, and ambitious social and cultural transformations and economic reforms that were reshaping its economy into a progressive and diversified powerhouse.
These efforts underscored the nation’s commitment to development while preserving its rich traditions, the Uzbek envoy emphasised.
Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari attended the reception as chief guest. Parliamentarians, diplomats and representatives of different sectors also attended.
The ambassador said recent high-level exchanges had opened a new chapter in bilateral relations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Uzbekistan, followed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Pakistan in February, had provided fresh momentum to cooperation between the two countries.
He said the establishment of the high-level Council of Strategic Partnership had created a strong institutional framework for expanding bilateral ties. During President Mirziyoyev’s visit, around 30 bilateral agreements and documents were signed covering several areas of cooperation.
The Uzbek envoy said both sides had set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $2 billion within the next five years. Efforts were under way to promote business-to-business contacts, investment, trade houses, banking cooperation and smoother movement of goods.
Air connectivity between the two countries had also expanded significantly. While there had been no direct flights two years ago, regular passenger services now connected Tashkent with Islamabad and Lahore. Direct cargo flights had also been introduced, while new routes, including Karachi, were expected to increase the number of weekly flights to nine by October 2026.
The ambassador described the proposed Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway as one of the most important projects for the future, saying it could serve as a bridge between Central and South Asia. The railway, he said, could connect markets, create employment, boost trade and contribute to regional peace and prosperity.
Highlighting Uzbekistan’s domestic transformation, he said the country’s poverty rate had declined from 35 per cent in 2017 to around four per cent, while university enrolment had increased to 1.6 million students.
He said Uzbekistan was simultaneously investing in education, technology, innovation and environmental protection while preserving its rich Islamic and cultural heritage.
The ambassador congratulated Pakistan on assuming the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Economic Cooperation Organisation, assuring that Uzbekistan would cooperate closely with Islamabad to promote regional connectivity, stability and sustainable development.
He said Uzbekistan regarded Pakistan not merely as a regional partner but as a brotherly country and expressed hope that bilateral friendship would continue to strengthen for generations to come.
Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2026
