ISLAMABAD: H.E. Alisher Kh. Tukhtaev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, delivered opening remarks at a roundtable discussion titled “Uzbekistan and Pakistan on the Path of Strategic Partnership: Outcomes of the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Islamabad.”
Addressing distinguished colleagues, participants, and guests, the ambassador described the recent state visit as a historic milestone that opened a new chapter in Uzbek–Pakistani relations. He said the visit was held in an atmosphere of traditional friendship, mutual respect, and trust that have connected the peoples of both countries for centuries, reaffirming their strong political will to elevate cooperation to a qualitatively new strategic level.
According to Ambassador Tukhtaev, a substantial package of intergovernmental and interagency documents was signed during the visit, covering trade, investment, banking and finance, customs administration, industrial cooperation, education, culture, and other areas. He noted that these agreements create a solid institutional framework for long-term and systematic engagement.
Highlighting the economic dimension as a key outcome, he said that within the framework of the business forum, an investment portfolio was formed and contracts worth over USD 3.4 billion were signed.
The industrial exhibition “Made in Uzbekistan” showcased the strong potential of Uzbekistan’s manufacturing sector and concluded with agreements exceeding USD 1 billion. Particular importance, he said, was attached to establishing a joint mechanism aimed at gradually increasing bilateral trade from the current USD 450 million to USD 2 billion over the next five years, describing the target as ambitious yet realistic and supported by concrete instruments and roadmaps.
Of strategic significance for the region, the ambassador underscored the agreement to complete by 2026, jointly with the Ministry of Railways of Pakistan, the feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan Railway project. He added that the parties intend to proceed thereafter with establishing financing mechanisms and commencing practical implementation of the landmark infrastructure initiative, which has the potential to transform the transport landscape of Central and South Asia.
During the negotiations, considerable attention was also given to regional security and the sustainable development of Afghanistan. Ambassador Tukhtaev said both countries share a common understanding that Afghanistan must become a bridge of cooperation and connectivity between regions rather than a source of instability, with economic integration, infrastructure development, and humanitarian assistance viewed as key instruments to achieve this objective.
On the humanitarian front, he announced plans to hold a Week of Uzbek Culture in Pakistan, featuring artists, painters, craftsmen, designers, filmmakers, and representatives of the creative community. He also highlighted the announcement of the establishment of a park in Islamabad named after Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, the founder of the Boburid dynasty, as well as a proposal to name one of the streets of the Pakistani capital “Tashkent” as a symbol of enduring friendship.
In this context, he introduced an initiative to establish a Joint Cultural Center in Lahore dedicated to the study of Boburid heritage.
The center is envisioned as an academic and cultural platform for researching the history of the Mughal era, its architectural monuments, literary and spiritual legacy, and for organizing joint conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events to deepen cultural dialogue and foster respect for shared heritage among younger generations.
The ambassador also emphasized expanding cooperation in education through the launch of the Uzbekistan–Pakistan Working Group on Education.
The group will coordinate efforts in higher and vocational education, academic exchanges, joint research initiatives, and mobility programs for students and faculty members, aiming to strengthen human capital and consolidate long-term strategic partnership.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Tukhtaev said Uzbekistan and Pakistan view each other as strategic partners in shaping a new architecture of regional cooperation, with Central and South Asia emerging as a unified space of opportunity.
He stressed that while ambitious tasks lie ahead—including advancing industrial cooperation, expanding energy partnership, driving digital transformation, and strengthening interregional ties—the greatest asset of bilateral relations remains mutual trust and political will.
He expressed confidence that the roundtable would help formulate practical recommendations for implementing the agreements reached and extended appreciation to the Pakistani side for its hospitality and to participants for their engagement, reaffirming Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan for the stability and prosperity of the region.
