Photo Exhibition showcases Uzbekistan’s treasure of Uzbekistan’s historical & architectural icons
Islamabad :- Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has announced the launch of a journalists and photojournalists exchange programme between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, aimed at promoting mutual understanding and familiarising media professionals with Pakistan’s culture, history and heritage.
He made the announcement while speaking at the opening of a photo exhibition at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), featuring works by Pakistani photojournalists who recently visited Uzbekistan on an official invitation.
The exhibition showcased the rich cultural heritage, landscapes and everyday life of Uzbekistan as captured through the lenses of Pakistani photographers.
He commended the works of the Pakistani photographers in capturing Uzbekistan’s rare scenes and sights, people and places.
He further stated that, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, a comprehensive plan would be devised to promote and showcase Pakistan’s culture, history and heritage to the outside world. Such initiatives, he said, were essential to project Pakistan’s soft image and highlight its rich civilisational legacy at the international level.
Federal Minister for Culture and National Heritage Aurangzeb Khan Khichi also lauded the outstanding work of the Pakistani photojournalists whose photographs were on display. He said the exhibition not only reflected professional excellence but also served as a bridge between the two friendly nations.
Khichi assured that his ministry would continue to extend full support to cultural and artistic pursuits in the coming days. He emphasised that cultural exchanges, exhibitions and people-to-people contacts played a vital role in strengthening bilateral relations and fostering mutual respect and understanding among nations.
Ambassador of Uzbekistan Alisher Tukhtaev briefed the guests that from Aug 2 to Aug 7, 2025, the Embassy of Uzbekistan implemented the initiative “Uzbekistan Through the Lens of Pakistani Photographers.” Within this project, five distinguished Pakistani professional photographers – Ramzan Mughal, Azhar Hafeez, Shahid Qureshi, Tariq Sulemani, and Gulraiz Ghouri – visited Uzbekistan and travelled across Tashkent, Andijan, Ferghana, Samarkand, and Bukhara.
Through their creative vision, they captured not only the architectural beauty of our ancient cities, but also the spirit of Uzbekistan – its sacred sites, historic monuments, vibrant streets, and timeless landscapes, he said.
The ambassador was of the view that these photographers’ work reflected an authentic and heartfelt perspective, allowing Uzbekistan to be seen through the eyes of Pakistani friends. As a result of this journey, a special photo album and a curated collection of photographs were published, which we proudly present to the visitors, he said.
This project is more than an exhibition of images. It is a symbol of friendship, trust, and cultural closeness between our two nations. Uzbekistan and Pakistan are connected by centuries-old historical ties, shared heritage, and deep cultural affinities, the ambassador said. Managing Director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, Aftab ur Rehman Rana, DG PNCA Muhammad Ayoub Jamali also spokspoke on the occasion and appreciated Ramzan Mughal, Shahid Qureshi (Raju) and other photographers for undertaking the great job.
On behalf of his colleagues Muhammad Ramzan Mughal said it was an honor to speak about his visit to Uzbekistan as part of the project “Uzbekistan Through the Eyes of Pakistani Photographers.”
“The journey took place from August 2 to 7 with the support of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad and the Tourism Committee of Uzbekistan,” he said.
We five Pakistani photographers in total visited Tashkent, Fergana, Samarkand, and Bukhara and we not only took photographs, we captured history, culture, and the spirit of the people, he said. Tashkent is modern and full of life with wide roads, green parks, and historic monuments exist side by side, Mughal recalled adding the Chorsu Bazaar showed everyday Uzbek life while Khast Imam Complex reflected deep spiritual heritage.
In Fergana, we saw living traditions. Skilled artisans work with clay, silk, and embroidery. Samarkand he said is timeles and places like Registan Square and Shah-i-Zinda tell stories of the Silk Road. The city connects the past with the present. Bukhara felt like an open museum.
Its old streets, forts, and mosques carry centuries of history, he said expressing gratitude to the Uzbek embassy for providing lifetime opportunity to the to visit a great nation and enjoy the traditional Uzbek warmth and hospitality.
I am confident that initiatives like today’s exhibition help bring our peoples closer, strengthen mutual understanding, and open new horizons for cooperation.
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.
