ISLAMABAD ( WNAM REPORT ):The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad marked the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence with a grand reception on Tuesday evening.
The gathering brought together senior government officials, diplomats, parliamentarians, and business leaders, and served to highlight the robust and expanding strategic ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
On the occasion, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan His Excellency Alisher Tukhtaev delivered an address highlighting the strong and enduring partnership between the two countries. The full text of his speech is as follows:
Honourable Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Federal Minister for Energy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
Distinguished Ministers and Members of Parliament, Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen, Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.
It is a great honour for me to welcome you this evening as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
First of all, I would like to sincerely thank the Honourable Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, for joining us this evening as our Chief Guest.
Mr. Minister, your presence tonight is a clear sign of the friendship, respect and strong partnership between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
We highly value your personal support in developing relations between our two brotherly countries and bringing our nations even closer together.
I would also like to warmly thank all our distinguished guests for being with us on this very important day for the people of Uzbekistan.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
In 1991, thanks to the strong will and determination of our people, Uzbekistan became an independent state.
But the roots of our statehood go much deeper into history. Uzbekistan is the home of an ancient civilization with a history of more than three thousand years.
Our land gave the world such great scholars and thinkers as Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, Ahmad al-Fergani, Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, Abu Ali ibn Sina, Mirzo Ulugbek and Alisher Navoi.
The great Amir Temur created a powerful state that holds a special place in world history as a symbol of justice, knowledge and development.
We are proud that this great history and rich heritage belong not only to Uzbekistan, but are also an important part of the common heritage of the entire Muslim world.
Today, Uzbekistan is building on this great history while moving with confidence towards a modern, open and successful future.
Over the past decade, under the leadership of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, our country has gone through major and lasting changes.
The main idea behind all our reforms is very simple: The interests, dignity and well-being of every person must always be at the centre of state policy.
Uzbekistan has opened its doors widely to the world. We have strengthened friendship and good relations with our neighbours, solved many long-standing regional issues, and helped create a new spirit of trust and cooperation in Central Asia.
Our economy and society are also changing rapidly.
The poverty rate has fallen from 35 per cent in 2017 to around 4 per cent today. More than 650,000 families have become owners of modern homes.
Preschool education has grown greatly, while new schools, Presidential schools and specialized schools are giving our children opportunities that were difficult to imagine only ten years ago.
Today, the number of university students has reached 1.6 million. For millions of Uzbek families, higher education for their children is no longer only a dream. Today, it is a real opportunity.
Uzbekistan is also moving confidently into the world of science, innovation and modern technology. At the same time, we continue to protect and promote the great spiritual heritage of our ancestors.
The Centre of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, together with the renewed memorial complexes of our great Islamic scholars, including Imam al-Bukhari, are becoming important centres for studying and showing the true peaceful and human values of Islam to the world.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, Uzbekistan is entering a new and very important stage of its development. Our goal is to make knowledge and professional skills the main strength of our future.
We want to build a modern economy based on new technologies and higher productivity.
We will continue to protect our environment and water resources, strengthen the rule of law, and further develop Uzbekistan as a country of peace, friendship and tolerance.
Dear Excellencies and friends,
Today, relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan are going through one of the most active and successful periods in their history. Our countries are connected by centuries of common history, culture, faith and traditions.
Today, this common heritage is becoming a strong and modern strategic partnership based on trust and common interests.
The official visit of the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, to Uzbekistan, followed by the State Visit of the President of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Pakistan in February this year, opened a new chapter in our relations.
The creation of the High-Level Council of Strategic Partnership has given us a strong foundation to bring our cooperation to a new level.
During President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s State Visit to Pakistan, 30 bilateral documents were signed in many important areas.
The people of Uzbekistan also deeply appreciate the decision to award Pakistan’s highest civil honour, Nishan-e-Pakistan, to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
We see this award as a sincere sign of Pakistan’s great respect for the President of Uzbekistan and for the special friendship between our two nations.
The friendship and trust between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif are the main driving force behind the growing relations between our countries.
Only yesterday, during the Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek, our leaders held another very productive meeting.
They once again confirmed their strong commitment to carry out all existing agreements and to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
On this occasion, I would also like to warmly congratulate Pakistan on taking over the Chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and Economic Cooperation Organisation. Uzbekistan is ready to work closely with Pakistan during its Chairmanship. We will support Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen unity within the SCO and ECO, develop practical cooperation, and promote peace, stability and sustainable development across our common region.
Relations between our parliaments are also becoming stronger. Our leaders have set an ambitious goal of increasing bilateral trade to 2 billion US dollars within the next five years.
To reach this goal, we are increasing direct contacts between our business communities, supporting investment projects, developing trade houses, strengthening banking relations and making it easier to move goods between our countries.
Direct air connectivity is also expanding rapidly. Just two years ago, there were no direct flights between our countries.
Today, regular passenger services connect Tashkent with Islamabad and Lahore, while direct cargo flights have also been launched. With the introduction of new routes, including flights to Karachi, the number of weekly flights is expected to reach nine by October 2026, further promoting business exchanges, tourism and people-to-people contacts.
But perhaps the most important project for the future is the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway. Uzbekistan believes that this railway can become much more than just a transport route.
It can become a bridge between Central and South Asia. It can connect our markets, create new jobs, increase trade and help turn our wider region into a region of peace and shared prosperity.
Pakistan has a special place in the foreign policy of Uzbekistan. We see Pakistan not only as an important regional partner, but also as a brotherly country with which we share the same vision of peace, connectivity and development.
Our Embassy will continue to work closely with the Government, Parliament, business community, cultural organizations and people of Pakistan to turn the strong political will of our leaders into real results for our two nations.
Dear Friends,
This evening, we have tried to bring a small part of Uzbekistan – our culture, traditions and famous hospitality – here to Islamabad.
Tonight, our guests will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Uzbek cuisine, as well as a special concert programme featuring talented musicians, singers and dancers.
I hope that tonight you will not only hear the music and taste the food of Uzbekistan.
I hope you will also feel the warmth of the Uzbek people and the sincere friendship we have for the people of Pakistan.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
During the 35 years of our independence, we have learned one very important lesson: When the people and the state work together for one common goal, nothing is impossible.
Guided by the vision: “One Homeland, One Nation – Together We Will Build a New Life and a New Future,” the people of Uzbekistan will continue moving forward with confidence towards our great national goals.
We thank the Almighty for the most precious gift – our independence. And on this special evening, standing here among our Pakistani brothers and sisters, I would like to share one sincere wish:
May the friendship between Uzbekistan and Pakistan pass from generation to generation.
May our two nations always stand together – in friendship, in prosperity and in brotherhood.
May peace, progress and prosperity always be with our two brotherly countries.
Long live the Republic of Uzbekistan! Long live the people of Uzbekistan! Long live the friendship between Uzbekistan and Pakistan! NPakistan–Uzbekistan dosti hameesha zindabad! Thank you very much!
