Uzbekistan will soon launch a direct flight Karachi to Uzbek cities, Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev

Uzbekistan will soon launch a direct flight connecting Karachi to Uzbek cities, a move Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev described as a milestone in strengthening the historical and economic ties between Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

During his visit to Karachi from January 2-4, Ambassador Tukhtaev engaged with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), and local business leaders. He emphasized the long-standing brotherly relations between the two nations, rooted in shared cultural and religious bonds.

“Our relationship is now defined by increasing regional connectivity, which brings us closer economically and strategically,” the ambassador said.

Uzbekistan’s introduction of a soft visa regime for Pakistani citizens in September 2023, alongside direct flights between Tashkent and Lahore, has already facilitated business and tourism exchanges. Ambassador Tukhtaev highlighted the tripling of mutual trade over five years, from $122 million in 2019 to $387 million in 2023, and identified significant potential in sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, leather, food processing, and agribusiness.

Building on the success of the “Made in Pakistan” exhibition in Tashkent last June, the ambassador announced a “Made in Uzbekistan” industrial exhibition in Karachi later this year. The event aims to create new opportunities for trade agreements and investment collaboration.

He invited a delegation from the KCCI to visit Uzbekistan, particularly regions like Bukhara, Sirdarya, Surkhondarya, and Kashkadarya, to explore investment opportunities. The Uzbek Embassy, he assured, would support government-to-business (G2B) and business-to-business (B2B) engagements.

“Uzbekistan provides a safe, liberal environment for investment,” Ambassador Tukhtaev said, urging Pakistani businesses to capitalize on their expertise in key sectors. He welcomed proposals for organizing B2B meetings alongside delegations to unlock trade and investment prospects.

Ambassador Tukhtaev’s visit reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and economic partnerships. With the upcoming direct flight to Karachi and plans for collaborative trade events, both nations are poised for deeper bilateral engagement, fostering mutual prosperity.