Islamabad (TDI) Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, on Monday emphasized the centuries-old cultural, spiritual, and historical bonds between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, describing the two nations as “one family bound by history and faith.”
Speaking at the opening session of the International Conference on Pakistan-Uzbekistan: A Shared Cultural History, organized by the Uzbek Embassy in collaboration with the MUSLIM Institute at Islamabad Club, the envoy highlighted the legacies of Amir Temur, the Timurid dynasty, and Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur. He also pointed to the literary heritage of Alisher Navoi, Abdurahman Jami, and Allama Iqbal, saying their works continue to inspire both peoples.
“Our great cities Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Lahore, Multan, and Karachi, have for centuries served as centers of learning and enlightenment in the Islamic world,” Tukhtaev remarked. He said recent initiatives, including the Uzbekistan Tourist Information Centre in Islamabad and the UzbekPak Cultural Centre in Karachi, were fostering deeper cultural connections. Festivals, exhibitions, and the upcoming photo album Uzbekistan Through the Eyes of Pakistani Photographers would further highlight Uzbek culture in Pakistan.
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The ambassador underscored cultural diplomacy as a “bridge to the future,” noting growing academic partnerships, student exchanges, and plans for joint research in history, archaeology, linguistics, and literature. He also stressed collaboration on restoring tourism sites and developing new Silk Road routes.
“Conferences like this are not just academic exercises; they are platforms to build trust, strengthen friendship, and promote solidarity,” he said. “Pakistan and Uzbekistan are not two nations; we are one family. Our history is the same, our culture is the same, and our hearts beat together.”
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The conference brought together leading scholars, diplomats, and policymakers from both countries, including Sultan Muhammad Ali, founder of the MUSLIM Institute; Sardar Masood Khan, former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; General (Retd.) Ehsanul Haq, former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee; Dr. Azmat Ziyo, Member of the Uzbek Senate and Director of the Institute of History; Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali, Chairman MUSLIM Institute; Major General (Retd.) Khalid Amir Jafari, President of the Center for South Asia and International Studies; along with senior academics from Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
