Islamabad, February 12,2026: Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Kh. Tukhtaev, has described the recent state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Islamabad as a historic milestone that has opened a new chapter in bilateral relations and set the stage for a strengthened strategic partnership between the two countries.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion titled “Uzbekistan and Pakistan on the Path of Strategic Partnership: Outcomes of the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Islamabad,” the ambassador said the visit was held in an atmosphere of traditional friendship, mutual respect, and trust that has long connected the peoples of both nations.
He noted that a comprehensive package of intergovernmental and interagency agreements was signed during the visit, covering trade, investment, banking and finance, customs cooperation, industrial collaboration, education, and culture. According to him, these agreements provide a solid institutional framework for sustained and systematic engagement.
Highlighting the economic outcomes, Ambassador Tukhtaev said contracts worth over $3.4 billion were signed during the business forum, forming a significant investment portfolio. The industrial exhibition “Made in Uzbekistan” also concluded with agreements exceeding $1 billion, showcasing the country’s manufacturing potential.
He further stated that both sides agreed to gradually increase bilateral trade from the current $450 million to $2 billion over the next five years. Describing the target as ambitious yet realistic, he said it would be supported by concrete mechanisms and roadmaps.
On regional connectivity, the ambassador underscored the strategic importance of the Trans-Afghan Railway project. He said Uzbekistan and Pakistan aim to complete the feasibility study by 2026 in coordination with Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways, after which financing mechanisms will be established to begin implementation. The project, he added, has the potential to transform transport connectivity between Central and South Asia.
Regional security and Afghanistan’s sustainable development were also key topics of discussion. Ambassador Tukhtaev said both countries share the view that Afghanistan should serve as a bridge of cooperation rather than a source of instability, emphasizing economic integration, infrastructure development, and humanitarian assistance as critical tools.
On the cultural front, he announced plans to organize a Week of Uzbek Culture in Pakistan, featuring artists, craftsmen, designers, and filmmakers. He also welcomed the decision to establish a park in Islamabad named after Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur and proposed naming a street in the capital “Tashkent” as a symbol of enduring friendship.
Additionally, he introduced an initiative to establish a Joint Cultural Center in Lahore dedicated to the study of Boburid heritage. The proposed center would serve as an academic and cultural platform for research on Mughal history, architecture, and literary legacy, while hosting conferences and exhibitions to promote shared heritage among younger generations.
The ambassador also emphasized expanding educational cooperation through the launch of the Uzbekistan–Pakistan Working Group on Education, which will focus on higher and vocational education, academic exchanges, joint research, and student and faculty mobility programs.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Tukhtaev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan. He said both countries view each other as strategic partners in shaping a new regional architecture linking Central and South Asia, adding that mutual trust and political will remain the cornerstone of their partnership.
