At the invitation of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Tashkent Tuesday for a two-day official visit.
On the eve of the visit, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev expressed his views in an interview about the current state and prospects of bilateral relations.
What is the current state of the relationship between the two nations on the eve of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Uzbekistan?
Political relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan have reached a new level in recent years. Mutual trips by heads of state, deals on strategic partnership and statements on collaboration clearly confirm this.
The two nations are also actively collaborating within the framework of global structures like the UN, SCO, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Economic Cooperation Organization.
Both countries are expressing their strong political will to enhance cooperation in ensuring regional security and stability.
The visit of PM Shehbaz Sharif to our country serves to further strengthen political dialogue, enhance mutual trust and understanding. Important political documents are likely to be inked as part of the visit.
How are ties in the trade and economic sphere developing?
In recent years, trade turnover between our states has been growing steadily. According to the results of 2024, the volume of trade turnover crossed 404 million dollars.
Currently, both countries are actively working on joint measures aimed at further increasing the volume of mutual trade, hitting the milestone of one billion dollars in the coming years, and accelerating industrial collaboration.
Both nations are taking specific steps to expand the export and import structure of food, textile, and electrical products.
Uzbekistan is interested in increasing the volume of agricultural exports to Pakistan, particularly in the supply of fruits and vegetables, grain products, and textile products. At the same time, Pakistan’s potential in the pharmaceutical, textile, construction materials, and information technology fields is also of great significance for the Uzbek market.
There are immense opportunities for implementing large joint projects in the textile sector. Combining our strengths will help create competitive products in the international market.
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There is great potential in the agricultural sector for the exchange of modern technologies, joint projects on product processing, as well as for increasing the volume of fruit, vegetable and grain exports. Our nations can cooperate to improve food security and access new markets.
Both countries are also rapidly developing the IT sector. Our nations can focus on establishing IT centers, working on joint educational programs and digitalization projects, as well as outsourcing services. This kind of collaboration brings great prospects for our economies.
What promising projects are planned in the trade and economic sphere?
There are plans to develop transit trade through the port of Karachi, as well as to establish joint investment funds. This will strengthen trade ties between the two nations.
Improving infrastructure, establishing logistics centers in the territories of the two nations, opening trading houses and strengthening industrial collaboration are priority areas of bilateral ties in the field of economic diplomacy.
In addition, both countries are planning to continue the experience of “Made in Pakistan” and “Made in Uzbekistan” national industrial exhibitions organized in Tashkent and Lahore in the future, and to increase the number of products displayed.
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We will create the basis for the signing of new investment projects and deals by arranging business forums with the participation of entrepreneurs from both sides.
We are working with the relevant ministries and departments of Uzbekistan and Pakistan to fully implement the provisions of the Transit Trade and Preferential Trade Agreements, increase the volume of mutual trade by expanding the number of preferential products, and foster favorable environment for the free movement of goods and services.
In addition, mechanisms of establishment of direct and close collaboration between the regions, chambers of commerce and industry, and business circles of the two nations are being developed.
What is the role of the chambers of commerce and industry of Uzbekistan and Pakistan in the increasing of mutual trade and investments?
The ties between the chambers of commerce and industry of in the two countries, and existing mechanisms of cooperation between the business communities open up great opportunities for the development and strengthening of mutual economic relations.
Chambers of commerce and industry can be the major mediators in facilitating mutual business contacts and implementing joint projects.
The establishment of joint business platforms and special committees will make it easier for entrepreneurs to hold business forums, exhibitions and meetings. This will also help entrepreneurs of both sides find partners and realize joint projects.
How can both nations encourage investment in the infrastructure development and energy sectors?
Our nations can expand collaboration by coordinating efforts to develop investments in the strategically important infrastructure and energy fields, creating a favorable investment climate, and implementing joint projects.
There is great potential for regional connectivity initiatives in the infrastructure sector, especially, within the framework of the Trans-Afghan Corridor. This corridor will provide reliable transport links between the two countries, and facilitate reach to the markets of Central and South Asia.
Joint investments in roads and railways, logistics centers, and cargo terminals will help further strengthen trade and strengthen economic relations.
The energy sector is also one of the promising areas. We can collaborate on projects to develop renewable energy sources, including solar and wind power plants, hydropower, and gas infrastructure. These joint ventures will ensure energy security and expedite the transition to sustainable energy sources.
How do you assess collaboration in the field of transport and logistics?
Collaboration in the field of transport and logistics between the two countries plays an important role in bringing the economies of Pakistan and Uzbekistan closer together and implementing the regional connectivity initiative on a large scale.
Active Talks are underway to launch the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project.
This direction will serve to develop transport corridors not only in the two nations, but also in the whole region. In order to expedite cargo transportation processes and reduce transport costs, it is planned to establish logistics centers and introduce digital transport systems.
The governments of both nations are also working together to attract global financial institutions and investors to implement these projects.
What cultural exchange programs or initiatives are being worked on between the two countries?
We are planning to promote a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening cultural exchange between our nations. In particular, active work is being carried out in the following areas:
– organizing cultural festivals and exhibitions of art, photography, crafts and traditional music in Pakistan, exhibiting the rich cultural heritage of Uzbekistan;
– developing and promoting student and teacher exchange programs, strengthening academic relations between universities;
– developing joint tourist programs and travel routes that promote the historical heritage of our nations;
– implementing joint creative projects in theater and cinema.
In addition, we believe that opening cultural centers in both nations is an effective way to promote common historical and cultural values.
On January 3, 2025, we inaugurated the Uzbek-Pakistani Cultural House in Karachi. It will become an important platform for strengthening cultural and humanitarian relations between our nations.
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The Center actively promotes Uzbek culture, art, language and traditions and organizes different events. It also serves as a platform for programs and projects that serve to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.
What joint projects are being implemented in tourism sector?
Uzbekistan and Pakistan have a rich common cultural heritage associated with the history of Islamic Civilization and the Great Silk Road, monuments of the Timurid and Baburid eras. This provides immense opportunities for the rapid development of collaboration in tourism.
In addition, in September last year, Uzbekistan introduced a simplified visa procedure for Pakistani nationals. This gave impetus to an increase in the number of tourists, students and entrepreneurs wishing to visit Uzbekistan. Simplification of visas has brought new opportunities for cultural exchange, acquaintance with historical monuments and cultural traditions, as well as for developing business relations.
Since November 2024, Uzbekistan Airways has started regular flights on “Tashkent-Lahore” route every Friday. Direct flights have strengthened transport links, reduced travel times, and created convenience for tourists. It also helps to develop collaboration between business circles in trade, investment, and other sectors.
In order to fully utilize these opportunities and jointly promote tourism, including pilgrimage tourism, we are working with the relevant ministries, tourism companies, and tour operators to develop thematic tourist routes that cover the historical monuments of both nations and introduce them to our shared cultural values.
In addition, we seek to further strengthen the position of our nations in the global tourism market by cooperating in international tourism exhibitions.
I am confident that the simplification of visas and the establishment of direct flights will have a considerable impact on the growth of tourist flows between the two brotherly nations, and strengthening of cultural and humanitarian ties.
How do you assess the role of public diplomacy in deepening mutual understanding and collaboration between Uzbekistan and Pakistan?
Public diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges play a major role in regional connectivity initiatives. Such forms of collaboration help to establish strong relations between our peoples. This serves to strengthen mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between the two friendly countries.
Such ties create an atmosphere of mutual respect and openness. As a result, a serious impetus will be given to the development of bilateral ties in different fields – from business and education to culture and large-scale joint infrastructure projects.
The instruments of public diplomacy allow people of the two nations to communicate directly, forming strong bonds between the countries. This helps to eliminate old stereotypes that have formed in society, strengthen friendship and develop collaboration at all levels.
Such exchanges serve to develop a network of personal and professional contacts, contribute to the development of human capital and strengthen the relations between the two nations. This is important for the long-term development of mutual ties.
People participating in such programs serve as a “bridge” between cultures, contributing to strengthening mutual respect and collaboration.
Please share your plans for the development of ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan in the future?
In order to further develop ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, we have included in our work plan the implementation of many joint events and projects in the trade and economic, banking and finance, transport and logistics, as well as cultural and humanitarian fields.
In particular, to increase trade turnover between the two nations and stimulate trade, we are conducting meetings on expanding the list of products within the framework of the Preferential Trade Agreement and improving interbank payments. This will serve to reduce customs payment rates and accelerate mutual trade ties.
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Also, matters of diversifying fast and convenient cargo transportation routes and optimizing customs processes are being developed in collaboration with large transport and logistics companies.
The organization of a number of cultural events, festivals, and exhibitions in the territories of the two nations is included in our joint agenda. New and interesting tourist programs are being planned with relevant authorities.
Agreements have been reached on expanding collaboration between higher education institutions of Uzbekistan and Pakistan, starting educational programs, conducting joint scientific research, and intensifying student exchange. We are currently working on their implementation.
*The interview was originally published by the Dunyo Information Agency.*
