ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ): Pakistan and Uzbekistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening tourism, aviation connectivity, business-to-business (B2B) cooperation and people-to-people (P2P) contacts.
The resolve was expressed at a tourism road show held in Islamabad, which provided a vibrant platform for tourism operators, government representatives, aviation stakeholders and business community members to explore new opportunities for promoting Uzbekistan as an attractive destination for Pakistani travelers while opening new avenues for investment, trade and regional connectivity.
In his key note address, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Tourism Sardar Yasir emphasized that simplifying visa procedures was essential to facilitate greater movement of tourists and businesspeople between the two countries. He said the Government of Pakistan was keen to take concrete measures to remove unnecessary barriers and make cross-border travel more convenient, accessible and attractive.
He noted that enhanced tourism flows could serve as a powerful bridge between the people of Pakistan and Uzbekistan, while simultaneously generating economic activity, creating business opportunities and strengthening the longstanding cultural relationship between the two countries.
Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Alisher Tukhtayev, in his address, highlighted the historical and cultural richness of Uzbekistan, describing the country as a unique destination where centuries-old heritage and modern development converge. He said technological advancement, innovative tourism solutions and emerging investment opportunities were rapidly transforming Uzbekistan’s tourism sector and creating new attractions for international visitors.“Tourism can become the main pillar of our strategic partnership,” the Ambassador remarked, emphasizing the enormous potential for expanding tourism and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. He noted that a significant number of Pakistani delegations had already visited Uzbekistan, reflecting the growing interest and providing a strong foundation for further expansion of bilateral tourism.
Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Aftab ur Rehman Rana assured that PTDC would extend its full support to initiatives aimed at promoting tourism cooperation between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. He stressed the need for well-structured, affordable and attractive tourism packages, coupled with effective facilitation mechanisms, to encourage more Pakistani tourists to discover Uzbekistan. Rana observed that Uzbekistan could serve not only as a major tourism destination for Pakistanis but also as an important gateway to Central Asia, offering opportunities for broader regional connectivity, commercial interaction and cultural exchange. He said stronger tourism linkages could create a multiplier effect by bringing together airlines, tour operators, hotels, retailers and other businesses.
Speaking on the occasion, Adil Mirza of Centrum Air Uzbekistan highlighted the pivotal role of aviation in turning tourism potential into actual passenger flows. He stressed that direct and convenient air routes between Pakistan and Uzbekistan would significantly facilitate tourism, trade and business interaction. He called for closer coordination among airlines, tourism authorities and private-sector stakeholders to develop competitive travel packages and improve the overall visitor experience. Better connectivity, he noted, would make Uzbekistan more accessible to Pakistani travelers while simultaneously opening Pakistan to a larger Central Asian market.
The road show highlighted Uzbekistan’s vast cultural heritage, historic cities, modern tourism infrastructure and emerging opportunities, generating significant interest among Pakistani stakeholders. Participants expressed optimism that enhanced air connectivity, simplified visa procedures, targeted tourism packages and stronger B2B engagement could substantially increase two-way tourism and business exchanges.
The event concluded with a shared understanding that Pakistan and Uzbekistan possess immense untapped potential to transform tourism into a driver of economic cooperation, cultural understanding and regional integration, further strengthening the bonds between the two brotherly countries.
