Islamabad (GNP): Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad to discuss ways to deepen the two countries’ bilateral relationship.
The conversation covered a wide range of sectors including education, trade, the economy, transport and communications, agriculture, and livestock development, reflecting both sides’ shared intent to strengthen their strategic partnership and advance regional connectivity and economic integration.
Both sides also looked at expanding academic collaboration, touching on joint research, student and faculty exchange programmes, and specialized capacity-building efforts. They discussed the possibility of jointly accrediting degree programmes as a way to raise quality assurance standards and improve the international standing of academic qualifications from both countries.
On educational cooperation, Minister Ahsan Iqbal pointed to the potential of Uzbekistan as a destination for Pakistani students looking to learn the Russian language — a skill that would broaden their access to scientific, technological, and research resources across the region.
The meeting touched on cultural and spiritual dimensions as well. Minister Iqbal praised Uzbekistan’s work in preserving and promoting Islamic heritage, singling out the restored Imam Al-Bukhari Complex in Samarkand and the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent as landmark projects that have captured significant interest in Pakistan and open doors for meaningful cultural and educational exchange.
Both sides also raised the idea of a joint production — a multi-episode historical drama tracing the life and legacy of Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur — as a vehicle for showcasing the region’s shared historical and cultural roots.
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Minister Iqbal described Uzbekistan as a second home to Pakistan and one of its most important Central Asian partners, emphasizing the deep historical, cultural, and people-to-people bonds between the two nations and Pakistan’s ambition to broaden cooperation across multiple fronts.
Air connectivity also featured in the discussions. Both sides reviewed prospects for building on the existing Tashkent–Lahore route and explored proposals for new direct flights between Karachi and major Uzbek cities to support tourism, business travel, and stronger people-to-people links.
Ambassador Tukhtaev, for his part, commended Pakistan’s constructive contribution to regional peace and stability, and offered congratulations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, and the Pakistani government for their efforts in supporting dialogue and diplomacy aimed at easing regional tensions and finding peaceful solutions to international challenges.
The meeting closed with both sides reaffirming their commitment to taking the Pakistan-Uzbekistan partnership forward and turning their shared vision of regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and cultural understanding into concrete results.
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.
