by Nawabzada Shah Ali
Islamabad: The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Pakistan marked the 34th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan with a grand reception held on September 1, 2025. The event was attended by more than 500 distinguished guests, including ministers of the Government of Pakistan, members of parliament, representatives of the armed forces, the diplomatic corps, business leaders, academia, media personnel, and members of the Uzbek community.
The Chief Guest of the evening was Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Railways, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, who conveyed the warm congratulations and heartfelt wishes of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the people of Uzbekistan, extending prayers for peace, stability, and prosperity.
In his keynote address, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan underlined that relations between the two brotherly nations have reached the level of a strategic partnership thanks to the firm political will of their leadership. He highlighted Uzbekistan’s steady economic growth despite global challenges, with GDP projected to reach $130 billion, gold and foreign exchange reserves surpassing $48 billion, and export capacity exceeding $26 billion.
The Ambassador also pointed to new initiatives in trade, industry, and transport, most notably the “Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan” railway project, which will create historic opportunities for integration between Central and South Asia. He further noted that Uzbekistan has become Pakistan’s largest trading partner in Central Asia, with both countries aiming to expand mutual trade to $2 billion in the near future.
Cultural and historic bonds between Uzbekistan and Pakistan were also emphasized, with direct flights between Tashkent–Islamabad and Tashkent–Lahore, frequent business forums, cultural festivals, and relaxed visa procedures strengthening people-to-people ties.
The celebration featured vibrant cultural performances by artists from Khorezm, a photo exhibition showcasing Uzbekistan’s achievements, and a traditional Uzbek feast including pilaf, samosas, assorted kebabs, sweets, fruits, and the famous Uzbek melons. A special performance by children drew heartfelt applause, adding warmth and a family-like atmosphere to the evening۔
