DND Report
Islamabad, Pakistan: The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Pakistan organized a special event titled “Bridging Cultures and Unveiling the Tourism Potential of Uzbekistan,” celebrating the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and spiritual ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan while marking the appointment of Hamid Mahmood Chaudhry as the Tourism Brand Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Pakistan.
The event, attended by diplomats, tourism experts, media representatives, and officials from both countries, underscored Uzbekistan’s growing engagement with Pakistan in promoting tourism, academic cooperation, and people-to-people connectivity.
Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Alisher Tukhtaev, said that Uzbekistan and Pakistan share not only diplomatic relations but also a deep civilizational kinship rooted in common scholars, saints, and cultural heritage.
The Ambassador said that Uzbekistan is the land that hosts ancient cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Kokand, Shakhrisabz, and Termez — living symbols of Islamic learning and architecture. He invited Pakistanis to undertake spiritual and heritage tourism to Uzbekistan, calling such journeys “not just physical trips, but journeys of the heart — rediscovering one’s spiritual and historical roots.”
The Ambassador also announced that the ancient city of Samarkand will host the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference from October 30 to November 13, 2025 — marking the first time in more than four decades that the global forum will be held outside Paris. “This is a testament to Uzbekistan’s growing role in promoting intercultural dialogue and preserving world heritage,” he added.
Highlighting the growing people-to-people connectivity, the envoy revealed that Uzbekistan Airways will double its flight frequency between Tashkent and Islamabad starting October 28, 2025, with two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The airline also operates twice-weekly flights between Tashkent and Lahore on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Congratulating Hamid Mahmood Chaudhry on his appointment, the Ambassador said that the new Tourism Brand Ambassador will play a key role in promoting academic, spiritual, and cultural tourism between the two brotherly nations. He underscored the importance of “intellectual diplomacy” — fostering joint research and scholarly exchange between Pakistani and Uzbek academics, linguists, and historians.
Before concluding, he expressed gratitude to Aftab Ur Rehman Rana, Managing Director of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, for his efforts to strengthen tourism cooperation and cultural relations between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
The newly appointed Tourism Brand Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Pakistan, Hamid Mahmood Chaudhry, while addressing the event, said that he would continue to work for strengthening people-to-people connectivity between Uzbekistan and Pakistan through heritage, cultural, and business exchanges.
Chaudhry stated that his appointment was not merely a personal honour but a reflection of the “long-standing friendship between two nations united by faith, history, and the timeless spirit of the Silk Road.”
Hamid Chaudhry expressed his gratitude to H.E. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Tourism of Uzbekistan, and Mr. Umid Shadiyev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, for their confidence and support. He also thanked Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev of Uzbekistan for his continuous guidance and encouragement in fostering Pak-Uzbek relations.
“As the Brand Ambassador of Uzbekistan Tourism, I pledge to serve this honourable responsibility with dedication, sincerity, and passion — to represent Uzbekistan as a proud friend of Pakistan,” he said.
He concluded his speech by calling for a shared journey on the “modern Silk Road of friendship and opportunity,” symbolizing unity, cultural connection, and prosperity for both nations.
Addressing the event, author, senior journalist, and Chief Editor of the Dispatch News Desk (DND) News Agency, Agha Iqrar Haroon, said that Uzbekistan mirrors the culture and history of today’s Pakistan, and that Pakistan and Uzbekistan are two brothers living in different lands but sharing identical heritage, history, and cultural DNA. He remarked that no one can resist falling in love once they visit the ancient cities of Uzbekistan and meet its warm and hospitable people.
Earlier, Abiha Hamid, Assistant Manager of the Uzbekistan Tourist Information Centre, while welcoming the guests, said the event marked “an important milestone in promoting tourism, cultural exchange, and stronger people-to-people ties between the two brotherly nations.”
In her address, Abiha highlighted Uzbekistan’s commitment to deepening tourism collaboration with Pakistan and expanding opportunities for mutual understanding through travel, education, and heritage promotion.
The event brought together diplomats, tourism experts, and media representatives, reflecting the growing partnership between Uzbekistan and Pakistan in promoting travel, heritage, and cultural connectivity.
The event was supported by DND News Agency Islamabad as Media Partner
