Uzbekistan-Pakistan cultural concert at PNCA celebrates centuries-old connections, expanding people-to-people ties and renewed cooperation in heritage, arts and tourism

ISLAMABAD, Saturday, August 29, 2026 (WNP): Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Saturday said Pakistan and Uzbekistan shared far more than formal diplomatic relations, with their enduring friendship rooted in a shared history, cultural affinity and spiritual heritage spanning centuries.

Addressing as chief guest a special cultural concert, “Uzbekistan-Pakistan: Melodies of Friendship and Brotherhood,” at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), the minister said poetry, music, art and ideas had travelled across the region for centuries, creating deep bonds between the peoples of the two brotherly countries.

The concert was organised by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Pakistan to mark the 35th Anniversary of the Independence of Uzbekistan and was attended by ambassadors, senior government officials, diplomats, cultural personalities and distinguished guests from various walks of life.

Congratulating the government and people of Uzbekistan on the anniversary, Khichi said the theme of the evening aptly captured the depth of Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations.

“Music needs no translation. It speaks directly to people and reminds us of how much we share,” he said, expressing delight at welcoming Uzbek artists to Pakistan to showcase the richness of their country’s culture and musical traditions.

The minister said Pakistan greatly valued its cultural partnership with Uzbekistan and expressed hope that bilateral cooperation would be further expanded in heritage, museums, literature, music, performing arts, traditional crafts and exhibitions.

He particularly stressed the importance of creating greater opportunities for young artists, writers and cultural professionals from both countries to meet, exchange experiences and work together.

Khichi thanked the Embassy of Uzbekistan and Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev for organising the cultural evening and for their efforts to bring the peoples of Pakistan and Uzbekistan closer through cultural diplomacy.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev described the concert as a “cultural gift from the people of Uzbekistan to the friendly people of Pakistan,” reflecting the deep-rooted friendship and growing partnership between the two brotherly nations.

He highlighted the centuries-old links between the two societies along the Silk Road, which facilitated the exchange of knowledge, literature, science, music and art and contributed to the development of shared cultural traditions across the region.

The ambassador also recalled the enduring legacy of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, whose historical connection with the region remains an important element of the shared heritage of Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

He highlighted a number of recent initiatives for strengthening people-to-people relations, including the naming of Tashkent Street in Islamabad, the ongoing Babur Park project, and sister-city relations between Samarkand and Islamabad and Termez and Peshawar.

According to the ambassador, cultural, academic, educational and sports exchanges between the two countries are also expanding, while initiatives are underway to promote the Urdu language and scholarship in Uzbekistan.

Referring to the Uzbek President’s state visit to Pakistan earlier this year, Ambassador Tukhtaev said the visit had provided fresh impetus to bilateral cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including collaboration for the preservation and promotion of the heritage of the Great Baburid Dynasty.

The Uzbek envoy announced that preparations were underway for the “Days of Culture of Uzbekistan in Pakistan” later this year.

He said a large Uzbek cultural delegation would visit Pakistan to showcase Uzbekistan’s historical heritage, traditional arts and contemporary cultural achievements, providing another major opportunity for strengthening cultural interaction between the two countries.

Ambassador Tukhtaev also highlighted improving air connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, saying six direct flights were currently operating weekly between Tashkent and Lahore and Islamabad.

He announced that direct flights between Tashkent and Karachi would commence from September 3, describing improved connectivity as an important facilitator of tourism, education, business, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.

The growing air links, he noted, would complement the expanding bilateral engagement by making travel between the two countries easier and creating greater opportunities for interaction.

The cultural programme featured distinguished Uzbek artists who presented a vibrant combination of traditional music and dance, offering the audience an engaging glimpse into Uzbekistan’s rich artistic heritage.

Melodious musical performances accompanied by colourful and graceful traditional dances captivated the audience and reflected the diversity, vitality and elegance of Uzbek cultural traditions.

The performances also provided a fitting expression of the evening’s central theme, using the universal language of music and artistic expression to celebrate friendship, brotherhood and mutual respect between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

The programme highlighted the longstanding historical and cultural affinities between the two countries while demonstrating the important role of cultural exchanges in strengthening mutual understanding and bringing societies closer.

The event drew a notable diplomatic presence, including Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev; Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi; Spokesperson to the President of Pakistan Murtaza Solangi; Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert Khorev; Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi; and Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov, besides diplomats, government representatives, cultural figures and other distinguished guests.

The strong participation of the diplomatic community added an international dimension to the cultural evening and underscored the role of cultural diplomacy in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and closer relations among nations.

The event concluded in an atmosphere of friendship and goodwill, with Ambassador Tukhtaev expressing confidence that the cultural relationship between Uzbekistan and Pakistan would continue to grow and make an increasingly meaningful contribution to stronger bilateral ties.

The evening at PNCA ultimately offered a vivid demonstration of how shared history, culture, music, heritage and people-to-people engagement can serve as powerful bridges between nations, reinforcing the enduring spirit of Uzbekistan-Pakistan friendship and brotherhood.