By M. Abdullah Hamid Gul
Pakistan and Uzbekistan, two brotherly Muslim countries, have always maintained exemplary and friendly relations. These relations are based on mutual understanding and strong cultural and religious ties. Both countries are committed to enhancing closer relations in various fields, including people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, trade, investment, and energy. The recent visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan is a welcome development, as it has improved bilateral relations between the two countries.
With a historical presence on the ancient Silk Road, Pakistan and Uzbekistan are now eager to establish a strong presence together in the region’s emerging economic projects. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was awarded Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, which reflects a bright future for Pakistan-Uzbek relations. The signing of 28 memoranda of understanding and agreements worth $3.4 billion across various sectors, including railways, security, preferential trade, climate change, and religious tourism, marks significant milestones. Uzbekistan has offered Pakistani traders a 10-year tax exemption and set a target to increase bilateral trade volume to $2 billion over the next five years. From 2017 to 2025, the trade volume between Uzbekistan and Pakistan has risen from approximately $30 million to about $500 million, showing more than a fifteen-fold increase in less than a decade. Undoubtedly, both countries are determined to expand trade and investment.
During his visit to Pakistan, President Mirziyoyev also praised the economic achievements of his government, which include doubling GDP over ten years, lifting 6.5 million people out of poverty, and reducing unemployment. The current Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, has played a significant role in promoting Pakistan-Uzbek relations. His efforts have been crucial in enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, trade, and cultural connections. Meetings with Pakistani leaders continue to promote stability and cooperation in the economic partnership and matters of mutual interest, including recent high-level visits and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s trip to Pakistan. Uzbekistan’s crucial role in promoting stability and security in Central Asia, along with Pakistan’s strategic position in South Asia, has increased their influence in regional affairs. Their joint cooperation reflects both historical ties and modern challenges, balancing strategic interests, economic cooperation, and regional engagement.
In the early years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, a series of high-level visits aimed to establish a framework for cooperation. Diplomatic, trade, and cultural relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan have been in place since 1991. A friendship and cooperation agreement was concluded in 1992, laying the foundation for sustainable future relations in trade, security, and cultural exchanges. Pakistan joined the Ashgabat Agreement in 2016, becoming part of the international transport and transit route. Pakistan and Uzbekistan jointly support peace initiatives in regional cooperation platforms such as the SCO, ECO, OIC, and the United Nations. The Uzbek President visited the defense industry institution Defence Solutions Industrial Global (GIDS), where he reviewed various military and defense products and technologies, and an agreement was reached to develop a roadmap for military technical cooperation. Emphasis was placed on keeping the High-Level Consultative Strategic Council active.
Pakistani and Uzbek cultures and lifestyles share many values. Around four thousand words in Urdu have come from Uzbek. Uzbekistan’s official name is the Republic of Uzbekistan It is located in Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan to the west and north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south. It is uniquely landlocked, surrounded only by other landlocked countries. Its national language is Uzbek, a Turkic language similar to Turkish. About 42% of its population is of Tajik ethnicity. Under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan is progressing rapidly. Understanding the shared history and culture of Pakistan and Uzbekistan’s Muslim leaders is essential today. Few know that the founder of the Mughal Empire, Zahiruddin Babur was born in Andijan, a city in Uzbekistan.
Strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties with Pakistan aligns with Uzbekistan’s tourism promotion plans, which aim to attract Muslim-majority tourists. Pakistan needs to boost trade links with Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries, including Uzbekistan, not just by signing agreements but by implementing them. Uzbekistan’s cotton quality is excellent; Russia, China, and Europe are major buyers. It achieves high crop yields with low water usage, a technology Pakistan could acquire. Uzbek expertise in cotton can help increase production in Punjab and across Pakistan.
During the Soviet era, Uzbekistan developed power plant technology and has thousands of engineers in that sector. Pakistan could benefit from this technology and cheaper electricity. Both countries’ economic cooperation is a positive step with great growth potential. Pakistan serves as an important bridge for Uzbekistan to access South Asian and global markets. Maintaining cultural ties is crucial for building stable, long-term economic, political, and security relations between the two countries. In April 2025, Uzbekistan’s embassy in Islamabad organized the Uzbekistan Tourism Roadshow, themed “Uzbekistan, the Pearl of the Silk Road.” Expanding direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad serves practical diplomatic goals. Pakistan and Uzbekistan’s relations are built on mutual trust and interests. They’ve reaffirmed support for each other on regional and international platforms, aiming to elevate these ties. The political and military leadership of both countries is focused on boosting trade and cooperation in various sectors. Strengthening people-to-people connections through tourism, educational scholarships, and cultural exchanges is also key. In the future, Uzbekistan and Pakistan will play significant roles in Central and South Asia’s economic development.
