Islamabad ( WNAM REPORT): The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, hosted a session as part of its Eminent Speaker Series titled “Uzbekistan in Photos: A Journey Through the 14 Regions,” featuring Abdulaziz Abdurazakov, Leading Research Fellow at the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The session explored Uzbekistan’s historical and cultural heritage, diverse tourism potential and opportunities for strengthening Pakistan–Uzbekistan relations through cultural diplomacy, people-to-people exchanges and regional connectivity. The discussion centred on a photographic publication issued by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Islamabad, comprising 181 pages and covering all 14 regions of the country through a collection of photos highlighting historical cities, architectural landmarks, religious monuments, natural landscapes and cultural traditions.
Dr. Usman Chohan, Research Fellow at the IRS commenced proceedings by highlighting historical, cultural and ancestral connections between the two countries. He noted the profound influence of Central Asian civilisation on Pakistan’s architecture, religious traditions, mosques, madrasas and mausoleums. and emphasised that cultural exchanges as two-way processes based on mutual learning, greater understanding and people-to-people engagement are pivotal to expand ties in the cultural domain. He described the photographic publication as a valuable resource for promoting awareness of shared heritage to strengthen bilateral understandings.
Abdulaziz Abdurazakov presented an overview of Uzbekistan’s tourism potential which offers more than historical monuments. Instead, it provides visitors with an opportunity to experience a rich civilisation alongside ongoing modern development. He further highlighted the diverse attractions of Uzbekistan’s 14 regions, including the historic cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Shahrisabz and Tashkent, and stressed on the importance of marketing the country as a diverse tourism stronghold rather than a location with a few prominent, historical cities for maximum impact. He also suggested promoting the photographic publication through diplomatic events, cultural exhibitions, universities, academic institutions, libraries and international forums while highlighting opportunities for cultural and linguistic exchanges.
Referring to similarities in pronunciation and linguistic traditions between Urdu and Central Asian languages such as Uzbek, Abdulaziz Abdurazakov noted that direct connectivity between Islamabad and Tashkent could facilitate further tourism and people-to-people interactions. He described Uzbekistan’s tourism sector as rapidly developing which is supported by the country’s historical attractions and modern urban development. He appreciated President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s reform-oriented policies and economic vision, noting that Uzbekistan’s GDP exceeded USD 100 billion under his tenure. He also identified increased foreign direct investment, institutional reforms, greater economic openness and improved investment opportunities as important drivers of economic growth, and highlighted how the Tashkent International Investment Forum proved pivotal in attracting international investors. He clarified that although tourism was an increasingly important contributor to the economy, Uzbekistan’s overall economic resilience was primarily supported by broader domestic investment and liberalisation efforts. He identified Russia, neighbouring Central Asian countries and Türkiye as important sources of tourists, noting that visa liberalisation and easier entry requirements improved international accessibility. He cautioned that regional security concerns, particularly instability in Afghanistan, could influence international perceptions and discourage tourism.
Syed Hamzah Rifaat, Head of the Central Asia Program for Regional Cooperation and Connectivity at the IRS thanked Abdurazakov for his valuable insights and highlighted tourism as an important instrument for strengthening historical, cultural and bilateral connections between the two countries. He noted that Pakistan could benefit from greater awareness of Uzbekistan’s historical destinations, cultural traditions and natural attractions with the photographic publication issued by the Uzbek Embassy in Islamabad demonstrating why public diplomacy remains critical in promoting mutual understandings.
