On 17 December 2025 the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad hosted a high-level delegation from Uzbekistan led by Mr Eldor Sobirjonovich Tulyakov, Executive Director of the Development Strategy Center, with Mr Rovshan Alimov, Deputy Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Pakistan, also in attendance.
Director General ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood outlined Pakistan’s Vision Central Asia, a five-pronged framework encompassing political and diplomatic engagement; trade and investment; energy and connectivity; security and defence; and people-to-people exchanges, and noted how Uzbekistan’s reform-driven openness aligns with Pakistan’s regional integration goals. He pointed to tangible progress under the Pakistan–Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership, the Transit Trade Agreement and ongoing efforts toward regional connectivity such as the Trans-Afghan Railway, while highlighting growing business-to-business exchanges and deep cultural and historical affinities between the two countries. He also observed the forthcoming 2026 milestone marking the 500th anniversary of the Mughal Empire’s establishment by Zahir-ud-Din Babur from Uzbekistan’s Ferghana Valley.
Executive Director Tulyakov acknowledged the deep bonds of history, faith and shared traditions between the countries and welcomed the expanding scope of bilateral cooperation. He praised Pakistan’s offer of access to its seaports as a facilitative step for enhancing Uzbekistan’s trade connectivity and outlined people-centric reforms underway in his country. Tulyakov proposed advancing cooperation through improved air connectivity, broader academic and scholarly exchanges and promotion of tourism to deepen Pakistan Uzbekistan ties.
The discussions culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between ISSI and the Development Strategy Center to promote joint research initiatives, expert exchanges, collaborative publications and sustained academic engagement. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood also briefed the delegation on ISSI’s mission and stressed the importance of expanded think-tank and academic exchanges to reinforce bilateral relations.
This MoU is positioned as a practical step toward strengthening Pakistan Uzbekistan cooperation in research, connectivity and people-to-people links, building on the strategic partnership and existing frameworks for regional integration.
