Islamabad, August 13, 2026: Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtaev has said that Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur was not only a statesman and military leader but also a poet, writer, thinker and keen observer of nature and society whose legacy continues to connect Central and South Asia.
He was speaking at a roundtable conference titled “Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur: A Shared Civilizational Legacy and a Bridge for Pak-Uzbek Relations”, organised by the Baburi Forum in Islamabad.
The ambassador said Babur’s literary masterpiece, Baburnama, remained one of the most valuable autobiographical and historical works of the medieval Muslim world, offering an exceptional account of Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
“At the heart of this shared historical narrative stands Zahiruddin Babur, a son of Andijan in present-day Uzbekistan, whose extraordinary life connected Central Asia with South Asia in an unprecedented way,” he said.
The event was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Farah Naz Akbar, Deputy Chairman of the Babur International Public Foundation Rustam Mamasoliev, President of the Baburi Forum Ramzan Mughal, and scholars, historians and researchers from Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Welcoming the delegation of Uzbek historians and scholars, Ambassador Tukhtaev said such exchanges could play an important role in further strengthening the cultural and intellectual ties between the two countries.
“For Pakistan, Babur and his heritage represent an important part of the country’s rich civilizational history. For Uzbekistan, Babur remains an important symbol of our nation’s contribution to world history and culture,” he said.
He stressed that Babur belonged to both nations not merely as a historical personality but as a shared civilizational legacy connecting their peoples.
According to the ambassador, the legacy of the Baburids left an enduring imprint on architecture, literature, art, governance, science and culture in South Asia, with their contributions continuing to influence the cultural landscape of Pakistan and the wider region.
He noted that the common heritage of the two countries extended beyond one dynasty or historical period and encompassed centuries of interaction between Central and South Asia through scholarship, literature, spirituality, architecture and trade.
Ambassador Tukhtaev described scholarly gatherings such as the conference as important platforms for understanding history and exploring how the past could provide a foundation for friendship and cooperation in the present.
He also appreciated the efforts of the Government of Pakistan to preserve, promote and share the common historical and cultural heritage of Pakistan and Uzbekistan, including the legacy of Babur and the Baburid period.
The Uzbek ambassador said relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan were rooted in centuries of intellectual exchange, cultural affinity and human connections and extended far beyond their modern diplomatic ties.
“Today, the relationship between Uzbekistan and Pakistan is entering a new and dynamic stage,” he said, highlighting the role of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in providing fresh momentum to bilateral relations.
He said regular high-level contacts, mutual visits and close political dialogue had created a strong foundation for expanding cooperation in trade and investment, transport and connectivity, education, science, culture, tourism and people-to-people contacts.
He added that the elevation of bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership reflected the depth of mutual trust and the shared vision of the two countries for a stronger and more comprehensive relationship.
“In this context, common historical heritage is not simply a matter of the past. It is an important asset for the future,” Tukhtaev said.
He observed that Babur’s story demonstrated that Central and South Asia had never been isolated regions but had remained connected through people, ideas, culture and history.
“Today, Uzbekistan and Pakistan have an opportunity to give this historical connection a new meaning by transforming our shared heritage into new opportunities for academic cooperation, joint research, cultural exchanges, tourism engagement and educational partnerships,” he said.
The ambassador expressed confidence that historians, scholars and cultural institutions in both countries could play a significant role in advancing these initiatives.
“Babur’s life began in Andijan and eventually brought him to the Indian subcontinent. Centuries later, the historical journey that once connected our regions has evolved into a modern partnership between two sovereign and friendly states,” he said.
“In this sense, Babur is not only a figure of our shared past; he can also be a bridge to our shared future,” Tukhtaev added.
He called for continued joint efforts to study, preserve and promote Babur’s legacy so that future generations in Uzbekistan and Pakistan could better understand the depth of their intertwined histories and civilizations.
Speaking at the conference, Baburi Forum President Ramzan Mughal said the organisation served as an intellectual and literary platform dedicated to literature and research and aimed at narrowing cultural and civilizational gaps between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
He said the forum sought to act as a catalyst for bringing modern Uzbekistan and Pakistan closer through their shared cultural and historical heritage.
“We want to transfer this civilizational and cultural heritage to our youth and introduce them to our common literature, poetry and scholars who form part of the common history of both sides, so that they can reconnect with their historical roots,” Mughal said.
The conference concluded with a renewed emphasis on strengthening scholarly, cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and using the shared legacy of Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur as a foundation for closer ties between the two countries.
