In the shifting sands of Eurasian geopolitics, few partnerships are evolving as rapidly and purposefully as the one between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Tied by history, geography, and shared ambitions, the two countries are rediscovering each other in the 21st century, not merely as neighbours in a wider regional landscape, but as partners in shaping a more interconnected, prosperous, and stable Asia.
The relationship between the two nations remained underdeveloped for decades following the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. But in recent years, a quiet transformation has taken place. A series of high-level exchanges, the revival of historical trade routes, and a convergence of economic and strategic interests have brought Islamabad and Tashkent into close alignment. This emerging partnership took a major step forward in June 2025.
On 22 June, a crucial meeting between Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov, took place in Istanbul on the sidelines of the 51st Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC. Just days after this meeting, a 20-member Uzbek trade delegation arrived in Islamabad; part of a schedule that had likely been arranged in advance, but whose timing nonetheless reinforced the momentum of growing bilateral ties.
Led by Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Alisher Tukhaev, the visiting delegation, comprising representatives from sectors as diverse as textiles, agriculture, medical equipment, leather, and aquaculture, held extensive meetings with both the Islamabad and Rawalpindi Chambers of Commerce. The delegation included Deputy Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tukhtaev Akobirjon Khakimovich, Commercial Attache Bakhrom Yusupov and Deputy Chairaman of Uzbek Textile Association Djumaniyazov Mukhammadjon Bakhramovich. These interactions were marked not only by cordiality but also by a clear, shared focus on results: joint ventures, technology transfers, and expanding market access.
What sets this new phase of Pakistan-Uzbekistan ties apart is its breadth. It is not confined to ceremonial niceties or memoranda of understanding that gather dust. The cooperation unfolding between the two countries spans diplomacy, logistics, education, culture, and scientific research, with tangible initiatives already underway.
Among the most consequential of these is the Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (UAP) railway project. This long-envisioned corridor promises to transform regional logistics by connecting Central Asia to Pakistani seaports through Afghanistan. The railway will reduce trade costs by up to 40 per cent, significantly shorten delivery times, and open up global markets for landlocked Central Asian economies. Equally important, it is expected to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs in the region and catalyse growth in sectors from construction to services. For Pakistan, the project breathes new life into its long-standing ambition to become a trade-and-transit hub, linking South Asia with Central and West Asia.
In the realm of education, a student exchange programme is being launched to enable young people from both nations to study, research, and live in each other’s societies. The aim is to foster deeper cultural understanding, generate shared knowledge, and build long-term institutional relationships between universities. Joint research initiatives are also on the agenda, with a focus on science, technology, and innovation.
Culture and tourism are emerging as soft power pillars in this growing relationship. From architectural heritage to shared Sufi traditions, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have much in common. Both countries are now exploring ways to boost people-to-people contact through festivals, media collaborations, direct flights, and simplified visa regimes.
An often-overlooked but increasingly important aspect of the relationship is collaboration in healthcare. A delegation from Uzbekistan visited Islamabad’s Health Services Academy to explore investment opportunities in the city’s “Health Park,” a state-of-the-art medical complex. The visit focused on developing a “Doctors’ Enclave” that will provide residential, training, and research facilities to medical professionals.
This partnership is driven by more than mutual interest; it is shaped by shared geography. Both Pakistan and Uzbekistan border Afghanistan, and both recognise that peace and connectivity in the region are not possible without pragmatic engagement and economic interdependence. As such, they are increasingly seen as central players in a broader effort to stabilise and integrate South and Central Asia. Their cooperation is also aligned with regional initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where both countries hold membership.
Looking ahead, several initiatives are on the horizon. The two sides are working toward increasing bilateral trade to one billion dollars in the near term, with a longer-term ambition of two billion. Discussions are underway to establish a joint industrial zone, expand cooperation in scientific and technological research, and deepen cultural diplomacy. Additional high-level visits are expected in the coming months, signalling the long-term strategic intent behind this growing partnership.
