ISLAMABAD, February 15. /Dunyo IA/. A “roundtable” discussion titled “Uzbekistan and Pakistan on the path to strategic partnership: Outcomes of the state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Islamabad” was held in the Pakistani capital, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event was attended by Bakhramjon Aloev, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan (participating online), Alisher Tukhtaev, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, as well as representatives of leading think tanks, socio-political circles, experts, political analysts, university professors and members of the media.

“First of all, I would like to thank you for yet another opportunity for an open and sincere dialogue with Pakistan’s expert community. Last week, we met in Islamabad and discussed many important issues. Today, despite the online format, I am pleased to once again see all my Pakistani friends”, - Bakhramjon Aloyev noted in his remarks.

He emphasized that the discussion was dedicated to the results of the historic visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Pakistan on February 5-6 this year. According to him, the visit contributed to strengthening friendship and good-neighborly relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, particularly the development of a regular political dialogue based on trust between the leaders of the two nations.

Secondly, during the visit, President of Uzbekistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan signed a Joint Declaration. Furthermore, nearly 30 bilateral documents were signed in the presence of both leaders, confirming the high efficiency and productivity of the visit.

Thirdly, important agreements were reached in the areas of trade and investment.

Fourthly, cooperation between the peoples of the two countries in the fields of culture, art and science is actively developing, directly supporting people-to-people diplomacy.

Notably, one of the central streets in Islamabad was named “Tashkent” and a new park was inaugurated in honour of our great ancestor, Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur. This park has become a symbol of the historical proximity and shared spiritual values of the two nations.

President of Uzbekistan was conferred with the honorary titles of Doctor and Professor of the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) of Pakistan. Furthermore, the head of our state was presented with Pakistan’s highest civil award - the “Nishan-e-Pakistan” order. It was noted that this prestigious award is a worthy recognition of joint efforts to expand multifaceted cooperation, as well as a manifestation of friendship and deep respect for the people of Uzbekistan.

In his speech, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, emphasized that the state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan was a truly historic event that opened an entirely new chapter in bilateral relations. The visit was held in a spirit of friendship, mutual respect and trust that has linked the two nations for centuries. The high-level talks demonstrated a firm political will to elevate cooperation to a qualitatively new –strategic -level.

“One of the agreements of strategic importance for our regions is the commitment to complete the feasibility study for the Trans-Afghan Railway project by 2026, in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways of Pakistan, - Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev noted. This major infrastructure project has the potential to fundamentally transform the transport and logistics map of Central and South Asia. During the negotiations, special attention was paid to regional security and the sustainable development of Afghanistan. Uzbekistan and Pakistan promote a unified position: Afghanistan must not be a source of instability, but rather a bridge for cooperation and a strategic hub connecting the regions”.

In the future, the countries face key tasks: deepening industrial cooperation, expanding energy partnerships, accelerating digital transformation, and strengthening interregional ties. However, the greatest asset of our cooperation remains mutual trust, open dialogue and a firm political will to move forward together.

Discussion participants noted that the state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan served as a powerful impetus for elevating the strategic partnership to a new level, expanding economic and transport cooperation and deepening humanitarian ties. The visit featured the first meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Council, a business forum and a series of other significant events, demonstrating our countries' commitment to the systematic development of integration processes.

It was emphasized that the visit was not merely a diplomatic event but an important political milestone and a powerful driver capable of qualitatively advancing bilateral relations across all priority areas.

Particular attention was paid to the expansion of trade and economic ties as a priority direction of the Uzbek-Pakistani dialogue. The implementation of the Trans-Afghan Railway project holds strategic importance for official Tashkent and Islamabad. This will not only increase the volume of mutual trade and the number of joint ventures but also accelerate trade and investment flows between Central and South Asia. For Uzbekistan, the opportunity to gain access to the sea through the ports of Karachi and Gwadar is of particular value, opening additional paths for diversifying export-import routes and expanding access to foreign markets.

The “round table”, held in an atmosphere of open and sincere dialogue, clearly demonstrated the shared views and aspirations of the participants. The discussions showed that following the visit, Uzbekistan and Pakistan are ready to elevate the level of mutual trust and strategic partnership to a qualitatively new stage. It was noted that such a rapprochement contributes not only to the expansion of bilateral cooperation but also to the activation of regional integration and the strengthening of sustainable development and security in the region.

Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) of Pakistan:

-  It should be emphasized that the visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Pakistan took place at a completely new political level and in a new format. The agreements and understandings reached during the high-level talks not only serve the national interests of both countries but also hold great significance for ensuring sustainable development across all of Central and South Asia.

The cultural and historical ties formed over centuries create a solid foundation for further deepening mutual trust and harmony between our peoples. The active role of representatives from the scientific, intellectual and academic communities is especially vital: expanding scientific and practical dialogue strengthens the social and spiritual pillars of our cooperation.

I am confident that the results of this visit will enrich our mutually beneficial partnership with new substance, serving as an important step toward improving the well-being of our peoples, fully realizing our economic potential and further deepening humanitarian ties.

Professor Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Dean at Quaid-i-Azam University:

-  The state visit of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Pakistan held exceptional symbolic and practical significance. It was particularly telling that the leader of Uzbekistan was greeted by military escort aircraft and top-level officials at “Nur Khan Airbase” - a clear confirmation that relations between the two countries have reached the level of a strategic partnership. This fact also demonstrates the Pakistani side’s special respect and trust toward Uzbekistan and its leader.

Central and South Asia are historically, culturally and economically closely intertwined. Regional integration can be elevated to a new level through the development of transport corridors, energy projects, trade links and humanitarian cooperation. In this context, it is especially important to emphasize the proactive role of the President of Uzbekistan, including his efforts to institutionalize the dialogue between Central and South Asia.

Asif Tanveer, Head of the Department of International Relations at the Muslim Institute:

-  The deep cultural and spiritual ties that bind Uzbekistan and Pakistan today serve as a solid foundation for broad and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

Of particular importance is the historical role of Babur and the Baburid dynasty in the formation of the modern state of Pakistan. This legacy has become an integral part of the mindset and national identity of the Pakistani people. The Baburid era represents a strong spiritual bridge connecting our nations, and its profound study and promotion are of strategic significance.

The initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to establish a cultural center in Lahore dedicated to the study of the Baburid heritage was timely. This project opens new opportunities for scientific research, cultural exchange, and tourism development. Furthermore, the agreement signed during the visit between the governments of the two countries on the preservation, study and wide promotion of the scientific, cultural and architectural heritage of the great Baburid dynasty holds great historical importance.

Uzbekistan and Pakistan must continue to consistently strengthen the cultural and spiritual ties between our peoples. The Islamic civilization, particularly the traditions of Sufism, has for centuries reinforced the historical proximity of the two nations. In particular, the significant presence of followers of the Naqshbandi Sufi order in Pakistan and the high interest among Pakistani pilgrims in the sacred sites of Uzbekistan attest to a solid spiritual bond. From this perspective, the development of pilgrimage tourism and the implementation of joint cultural and educational programs are of paramount importance.