ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Saturday said Pakistan and Uzbekistan shared ties that went far beyond formal diplomatic relations, as they were rooted in common history, culture and spiritual heritage.
He was addressing a special cultural concert, titled “Uzbekistan-Pakistan: Melodies of Friendship and Brotherhood”, as chief guest at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). The event was organised by the Embassy of Uzbekistan to mark the 35th anniversary of the independence of Uzbekistan.
A large number of diplomats, senior officials and dignitaries from various countries attended the event.
The minister congratulated the government and people of Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of independence and said the theme of the evening beautifully reflected the deep bond between the two countries.
“Music needs no translation. It speaks directly to people and reminds us of how much we share,” he said.
Mr Khichi welcomed the Uzbek artists who had come to Pakistan to showcase the richness of Uzbekistan’s culture and musical traditions. He said poetry, music, art and ideas had travelled across the region for centuries, bringing the peoples of Pakistan and Uzbekistan closer.
The minister said Pakistan greatly valued its cultural partnership with Uzbekistan and expressed the hope that cooperation would be expanded in heritage, museums, literature, music, performing arts, traditional crafts and exhibitions.
He particularly stressed the need to create more opportunities for young artists, writers and cultural professionals from both countries to meet, learn and work together.
Mr Khichi thanked the Embassy of Uzbekistan and Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev for arranging the cultural evening and for contributing to efforts aimed at bringing the peoples of Pakistan and Uzbekistan closer.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Tukhtaev described the concert as a “cultural gift from the people of Uzbekistan to the friendly people of Pakistan”, saying it reflected the deep-rooted friendship and growing partnership between the two brotherly countries.
He highlighted the centuries-old links between the two societies through the Silk Road, which, he said, facilitated the exchange of knowledge, literature, science, music and art.
The ambassador also recalled the shared legacy of Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur and highlighted recent initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral people-to-people ties. These included the naming of Tashkent Street in Islamabad, the ongoing Babur Park project, and sister-city relations between Samarkand and Islamabad as well as between Termez and Peshawar.
He noted that cultural, academic, educational and sports exchanges between the two countries were growing, along with initiatives to promote Urdu language and scholarship in Uzbekistan.
Referring to the Uzbek president’s state visit to Pakistan earlier this year, Ambassador Tukhtaev said the visit had provided fresh impetus to cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including collaboration on the preservation and promotion of the heritage of the Great Baburid Dynasty.
He announced that preparations were under way for the “Days of Culture of Uzbekistan in Pakistan” later this year. The event, he said, would bring a large Uzbek cultural delegation to Pakistan to showcase the country’s historical heritage, traditional arts and contemporary cultural achievements.
The ambassador also highlighted improving connectivity between the two countries. He said six direct flights were currently operating weekly between Tashkent and Lahore and Islamabad, while direct flights between Tashkent and Karachi would commence from September 3.
He said such connectivity would further facilitate tourism, education, business, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.
The cultural evening featured performances by distinguished Uzbek artists, who presented a vibrant blend of music and traditional dance, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of Uzbekistan.
Melodious musical presentations, accompanied by colourful and graceful traditional dances, enthralled the audience and offered a glimpse into the diverse cultural traditions of Uzbekistan.
Through music and artistic expression, the performers celebrated the enduring bonds of friendship, brotherhood and mutual respect between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Pakistan.
The performances highlighted the longstanding historical and cultural affinities between the two countries and underscored the role of cultural exchanges in bringing the two societies closer.
The evening concluded with expressions of friendship and goodwill between the two brotherly nations, with Ambassador Tukhtaev expressing confidence that cultural ties would continue to grow and contribute to stronger bilateral relations.
