Islamabad (TDI): Speaking on Thursday, in a roundtable discussion that he himself moderated, the ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, described the recent visit of Uzbek president as a “historic milestone.”
The session brought together policymakers and experts to reflect on the outcomes of the visit and chart the way forward. Ambassador Tukhtaev noted that the visit has opened a new chapter in Uzbek–Pakistani relations.
The ambassador said that the visit, held in an atmosphere of traditional friendship, mutual respect, and trust, reaffirmed the strong political will of both governments to elevate cooperation to a qualitatively new strategic level.
He also recalled that a substantial package of intergovernmental and interagency agreements was signed, spanning trade, investment, banking and finance, customs administration, industrial cooperation, education, and culture. These documents establish a solid institutional framework for long-term and systematic engagement.
Economic cooperation emerged as a central pillar of the visit, as ambassador Tukhtaev highlighted. At the bilateral business forum, contracts worth more than $3.4 billion were signed, forming a significant investment portfolio.
The “Made in Uzbekistan” industrial exhibition showcased the country’s manufacturing capabilities and concluded with agreements exceeding $1 billion.
Both sides set an ambitious yet achievable target of increasing bilateral trade from the current $450 million to $2 billion within five years. Concrete instruments and roadmaps are expected to guide this expansion.
The ambassador apprised the roundtable speakers and participants that the agreement to complete a feasibility study by 2026 for the Trans-Afghan Railway project, in collaboration with Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways, is of particular regional significance.
The project aims to reshape connectivity between Central and South Asia by facilitating trade routes through Afghanistan. Following the study, both countries plan to establish financing mechanisms and commence practical implementation.
Read More: Historic Visit: New Horizons of Strategic Partnership between Uzbekistan & Pakistan
Regional security and Afghanistan’s sustainable development featured prominently in discussions. Leaders from both nations emphasized that Afghanistan must become a bridge of cooperation rather than a source of instability.
Experts and policymakers concurred that sustainable peace in Afghanistan is essential for regional connectivity and economic integration, given its strategic position at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.
The visit also highlighted the importance of cultural and educational ties. Plans were announced for a Week of Uzbek Culture in Pakistan, alongside the establishment of a park in Islamabad named after Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur, founder of the Mughal dynasty.
A Joint Cultural Center in Lahore dedicated to Boburid heritage and a new Uzbekistan–Pakistan Working Group on Education will further deepen cooperation through academic exchanges, joint research, and student mobility.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
