Report : Tazeen Akhtar Editor ! Pictrues : Raja Ghulam Farid
The Republic of Uzbekistan , the country of Tashqand, Samarqand and Bukhaara , is becoming example for other countries to learn how to alleviate poverty, educate the citizens, develop infrastructure, build trade connections and construct connectivity projects, prepare the youth for the challenges of the future, utilize science and tech for the best interest of the communities, improve agriculture sector and promote industry while keeping the defence impregnable and maintaining good relations with neighboring states.
Uzbekistan has continued this journey since the independence from, under the leadership of first president to the incumbent leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev whom I see as highly calculated, well composed, well prepared and mindful president who provides guidance in every sector with complete home work and concept clearing details. He has led his nation for social, political, economic and constitutional reforms throughout this decade. The country has completely transformed into a developed and prospering state in the meanwhile.
The journey of Uzbekistan in this direction has been described in the book “Uzbekistan : The Third Renaissance ! Concept of Future” that has been launched in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written the Foreword that makes the book more relevant for Pakistanis. The book has been authored by Mohammad Abbas Khan a seasoned writer on Central Asia and known to this scribe for last two decades as he had been published by this scribe from 2005 to 2015.
H.E. Alisher Tukhtaev : Uzbekistan and Pakistan – Strategic Partners with a Spirit of Brotherhood
Experts share , “This book reviews and analyses the comprehensive socioeconomic reforms undertaken in Uzbekistan since 2016 by the government led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The volume takes the reader through the different sectors of the economy and the effects of reforms on the country’s citizens. The various developments are detailed, examining the gains and the gaps in terms of policy and implementation.
Using the broad tools of economics and, in particular, of development economics, the authors present evidence to drive their conclusions and recommendations, and also draw on comparative cases from policy and practice to illustrate alternative approaches and results from measures in other transition countries.
This book provides the first systematic and comprehensive discussion of the government’s reform areas, including the macroeconomic fundamentals, business and investment climate, the energy, transport, health, education, social protection, financial, banking and agriculture sectors, regional trade, tourism and transport connectivity, reform of state-owned enterprises, as well as public services, citizen engagement and gender equality.
The book was launched in Islamabad on 16 Oct 2025 by the Embassy of Uzbekistan with Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Spokesperson of President of Pakistan Mr. Murtaza Solanggi. Ambassador H.E Alisher Tukhtaev and his staff was present to welcome the guests.
Mr Abdulaziz Adbullaev, First Deputy Director of the Mirzo Ulugbek Institute for the Study of the Development of New Uzbekistan (formerly National University of Uzbekistan), Tashkent also graced the event with his presence.
The book launch was arranged at local hotel in collaboration with Editor Tahir Farooq of Daily Ittehad and renown trader of Islamabad , President Azerbaijan Pakistan Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Zafar Bakhtawari. Dean of Diplomatic Corp Amb Turkmenistan, Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Thailand also attended the event.
Minister Attaullah Tarar and Mr. Murtaza Solanggi in their addresses, paid rich tributes to Uzbekistan’s leadership and said the 446-page book provides a complete recipe of how nations attain greatness. The book in fact gives us an overview of the reforms undertaken by President Mirziyoyev in social, political, economic and infrastructure sectors.
Minister said, Above all, connectivity is a vital point of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s foreign policy, he said. President Mirziyoyev is not only a man of ideas but also a man of action; a man who knows how to implement his ideas.
Mr. Tarar termed the book as a valuable contribution by the author Muhammad Abbas Khan who is a senior journalist and businessman as the book will help the readers understand Uzbekistan’s people, culture, traditions and values.
He added that the Uzbek President is a great friend of Pakistan and is held in high esteem by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Pakistani leadership. The minister also talked abut the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Uzbekistan and termed that visit highly productive.
Mr Abdulaziz Adbullaev appreciated the work of Mohammad Abbas Khan. He congratulated Embassy of Uzbekistan for another addition in the reading material that will help Pakistanis better understand Uzbekistan, its people and the vision of the leadership.
Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev highlighted the importance of the book, describing it as a reflection of Uzbekistan’s ongoing transformation under the visionary leadership of President Mirziyoyev.
HE said the book would help Pakistani readers understand Uzbekistan’s journey toward modernization, reform, and openness. The book is not just a research work. It is a journey of reflection, a sincere attempt to understand the essence of our national revival.
As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rightly noted in his foreword, this book helps us to better understand the initiative of President Mirziyoyev — an idea deeply rooted in the spiritual heritage of great Eastern thinkers, yet directed toward the future of all humanity.
The Third Renaissance represented not only economic progress but also a cultural and intellectual awakening centered on education, science, and human development. The fact that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written the Foreword makes it all the more important and inspiring, HE added.
Ambassador Tukhtaev expressed hope that the translation will “serve as a bridge of understanding between the people of Pakistan and Uzbekistan” and foster collaboration in education, research, and cultural diplomacy.
Tahir Farooq, Abbas Khan, Zafar Bakhtawari, Asif Luqman Qazi, Abdullah Hameed Gull also addressed on this occasion. Ms Reema Shaukat and Maarij Farooq amicably mastered the ceremony.
Uzbekistan State Tv interviewed Mr. Tazeen Akhtar on the sidelines of the event on Uzbkistan Pakistan relations. He said, ” I have not seen the book but I know Abbas very well , he definitely has translated it with its true sense and spirit. The book is source of easy to understand information for Pakistanis. “
Mr. Tazeen Akhtar, having visited Uzbekistan many times and working on bilateral relations for decades, continued as, “My point always in my addresses to the guests of Uzbekistan Events has been , ” Pakistan is the homeland of more Uzbeks than Uzbekistan ! Moghals claime they are 50 Million in Pakistan, Mirza , Baig, Birlas, Tirmizi , Bukhari are Uzbek origin communities ! Second , Pakistanis know Tashqand Samarqand Bukhara more than Uzbekistan. Therefore , you need to call it Country of Tashqand , Samarqand, Bukhara ”
He referred to Sohni Maheenwal , a love story known all over sub continent Indo Pak that is a hitory between Uzbekistan and Pakistani Punjab.
Mr. Tazeen also mentioned Mirza Ghalib the biggest poet of Sub Continent ! his ancestors migrated from Uzbekistan. He suggested a book should be prepared on these topics as well that will connect the people of both countries that are two states but one nation actually.
