ISLAMABAD, Thursday, August 7, 2025 (WNP): The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, laid out a sweeping roadmap for deepening bilateral cooperation between the two nations during a detailed media briefing held at the Embassy of Uzbekistan on Thursday.
Addressing senior journalists and representatives of leading media outlets, Ambassador Tukhtaev highlighted the rapidly evolving nature of Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations, emphasizing the shared vision of the two leaderships to elevate ties to a “new strategic level” across political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people domains.
“This Chancery is not just a building—it is a symbol of our independent identity and strategic resolve,” Tukhtaev began, adding that both countries have entered an era of “multifaceted cooperation” built on shared history, religion, and mutual trust.
The ambassador recounted the high-level visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Uzbekistan in February 2025, which led to the signing of key bilateral agreements and the establishment of a Strategic Partnership Council.
He termed the visit a “milestone” that laid the foundation for a comprehensive institutional framework, including agreements on science and technology, youth policies, vocational education, interior cooperation, and diplomatic training. A joint “Roadmap” has been formulated to ensure timely implementation of these agreements.
Highlighting regional dynamics, Tukhtaev pointed to the Trans-Afghan Railway Project as a transformational initiative. A trilateral agreement involving Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan was signed in July in Kabul, marking a critical step toward connecting Central and South Asia via rail.
With mutual trade crossing $253.7 million in the first half of 2025—a 123% increase from the same period last year—Uzbekistan has become Pakistan’s largest trading partner in Central Asia.
Still, Tukhtaev stressed that this was “just the beginning,” as both countries now aim to boost bilateral trade to $2 billion. To that end, a series of major business exhibitions and forums—”Made in Uzbekistan 2025″ and “Food Fest Uzbekistan”—have been held in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi, resulting in deals worth over $120 million.
Trade houses have been launched in both Lahore and Karachi, and Uzbekistan’s central bank officials recently visited Karachi to strengthen bilateral banking and payment channels. A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) is also in the final stages, expected to cover over 100 commodities.
Uzbekistan is actively seeking to access ports in Karachi and Gwadar, with plans for a trilateral transit trade agreement already in motion.
In the cultural realm, the envoy spotlighted growing humanitarian cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Direct flights now connect Tashkent with Islamabad and Lahore, greatly enhancing tourism and academic exchanges.
“Our visa regime is easing, our skies are opening, and our cultures are converging,” Tukhtaev noted.
Major cultural events and exhibitions have been held throughout Pakistan—from the Lok Mela Festival to Nowruz celebrations, and academic linkages between universities are growing. A notable highlight was the “Central Asia Tour 2025”, launched last week by a group of Pakistani bikers traveling across Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and beyond.
The ambassador concluded by presenting 10 compelling reasons to invest in Uzbekistan, including a business-friendly tax regime, abundant natural resources, special economic zones, and a strategic location offering access to both Central Asian and CIS markets.
“We are open for business, open for culture, and open for friendship,” he said, inviting Pakistani investors and tourists to experience Uzbekistan firsthand.
The media briefing concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where Ambassador Tukhtaev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening ties across all dimensions with Pakistan. The next major step will be the Uzbekistan-Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission meeting, scheduled for later this year.
