Tazeen Akhtar
Pakistan is looking forward to the state visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan , H.E Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Islamabad as a milestone on the path of bilateral cooperation that would pave the way to reach the target of mutual trade up to $ 2 Billion. Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev has shared that the sides are moving ahead to this direction.
The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad in collaboration with the Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies, (ISRS), Tashkent, Uzbekistan, hosted an Expert Online Conference titled “Pakistan and Uzbekistan: Strategic Partnership, Connectivity, and Sustainable Development in a Changing World”.
It brought together policymakers, diplomats, and experts from Pakistan and Uzbekistan to discuss regional cooperation in a changing global environment. The conference was a prelude to Uzbekistan President, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s historic visit to Pakistan in the first week of February, 2026.
The conference commenced with welcome remarks by Mr. Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad; H.E. Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Pakistan; and H.E. Ambassador Ahmed Farooq, Ambassador of Pakistan to Uzbekistan, underlining the importance of strategic partnerships and regional connectivity prospects between the two countries.
Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, in his keynote address said, the world is changing rapidly and the global economy is fragmented that pose many challenges to the countries like us that are fostering partnerships in different sectors.
He said, in a volatile environment, the countries need partners to survive in the comity of nations. He was quite optimistic about significant development in bilateral cooperation between the two brother countries. He said, the visit of the President will sure give boost to existing level of cooperation.
Here it is worth mentioning that the bilateral trade between two countries was recorded at $445 Billion in last year. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad worked hard selflessly in last year to introduce Uzbekistan markets and apprise Pakistani potential partners about the opportunities available there.
The Embassy held 45 Business forums to connect the business community of both sides. The two countries have signed 80 documents of cooperation. Uzbekistan Air is operating direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad, Lahore twice a week. Tashkent Karachi flight will be started soon to provide travel facilties for growing number of travelers from Pakistan. More than 18 thousand 5 hundred Pakistanis traveled to Uzbekistan last year.
Ambassador Tukhtaev termed the trilateral train as the flagship project that will connect Uzbekistan to the sea ports of Pakistan making a win win state of trade for three countries. He shared that a frame work in this regard was signed in Kabul last year.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Uzbekistan, Mr Ahmad Farooq participated online from Tashkent. He said that both countries successfully have forged a strategic partnership. Despote challenges in global economic order, our two countries made major strides developing bilateral cooperation.
He called this cooperation a model for the world as both sides are natural partners. He said, Pakistan is nuclear power with 4 working sea ports , motorways, strategic geography. Pakistan has vast area about one Million square KM. Pakistan provides opportunities to Central Asia to become Land Linked from Land Locked states.
“Uzbekistan is important for her political stability, ideal infrastructure and attractive policies for the joint ventures. Uzbek history is known in Pakistan with reference to Imam Bokhari, Termezi, Albairuni, Khwarzmi, Bu Ali Sina, Zaheer ud Din Babur and many other historical personalities, Ambassador Farooq added.
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The inaugural thematic discussions were moderated by Mr. Bakhtiyor Mustafayev, Deputy Director of the ISRS. The first session on Political Dialogue and Security Issues featured renowned experts including Mr. Akram Umarov, Director, Institute for Advanced International Studies, University of World Economy and Diplomacy, DHM Uzbekistan Embassy Mr. Raushan Alimov and Mr. Muhammad Amir Rana, President of the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies in Islamabad.
It focused on regional security dynamics, cross-border challenges, and political coordination in the context of developments in the wider region.
The second session on Economic Cooperation and Industrial Cooperation included insights from Ms. Nodira Abdunazarova, Head of the Department, Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies in Uzbekistan and Mr. Haroon Sharif, Leading Economist, Former Minister of State and Chairman of the Board of Investment in Pakistan.
Mr. Sharif examined the prospects for expanding bilateral trade, strengthening industrial collaboration, and enhancing economic linkages between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
The third session was moderated by Mr. Hamzah Rifaat, Head of the Central Asia Program at IRS, titled Transport and Logistics Interconnectivity. Mr. Bekzod Kholmatov, Director Center for Transport and Logistics Studies, Ministry of Transport in the Republic of Uzbekistan and Maj. Gen (r) Dr. Muhammad Samrez Salik, Former DG, Institute for Strategic Studies Research and Analysis (ISSRA), NDU, Islamabad.
The session focused on regional transport corridors, logistics connectivity, and interregional integration amid current geopolitical challenges.
The final session on Human Capital, Education, and Technology featured Mr. Quvonchbek Mahmudov, Researcher at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and Dr. Amina Khan, Director, Center of Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA), at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad, Pakistan.
It highlighted cooperation in education, skills development, technology, and academic exchanges as key drivers of the sustainable partnership between Tashkent and Islamabad.
The conference concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Eldor Aripov and Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, reaffirming the commitment of Pakistan and Uzbekistan to deepening cooperation across strategic, economic, and developmental domains.
