IRS Hosts Book Launch Showcasing Uzbekistan’s Reform Journey and Pak–Uzbek Partnership

ISLAMABAD: The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, in collaboration with the Embassy of Uzbekistan, hosted a book launch ceremony for New Uzbekistan: The Path of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, bringing together diplomats, policymakers, scholars, and members of civil society. The event underscored Uzbekistan’s reform-driven transformation under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and highlighted the deepening partnership between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem President IRS termed the book an intellectually rich and well-articulated account of Uzbekistan’s reform trajectory. He described the launch as a meaningful diplomatic and intellectual moment between two brotherly nations, bound by shared faith, history, culture, and civilizational ties. Highlighting Uzbekistan’s emergence as a regional hub since independence, he noted that the book goes beyond political narrative to present a profound reflection on leadership anchored in service to the people.
Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan, Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev, stated that Uzbekistan has entered a new era of growth marked by comprehensive reforms across governance, economy, science, and development. He noted that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s leadership has renewed public confidence in the country’s future, reflected in tangible economic gains, including an increase in GDP from USD 115 billion to USD 140 billion and foreign exchange reserves from USD 48 billion to USD 59 billion.
Highlighting bilateral relations, Ambassador Tukhtaev described Pakistan and Uzbekistan as genuine partners bound by a long-term cooperation framework and mutual trust. He noted positive developments such as visa facilitation for Pakistani nationals through e-visa regimes, expanded direct flight connectivity between Tashkent and Islamabad and Lahore, with Karachi to be added next year, and growing trade volumes expected to rise from USD 404 million in 2024 to USD 450 million this year.
Mr. Hassan Irmatov, Member of the Senate Committee of Uzbekistan, described the book as a leadership-oriented and analytical work that provides insights into contemporary governance and state transformation. Recalling the book’s earlier launches in the United States and at the United Nations Headquarters, attended by senior lawmakers, UN officials, and civil society representatives, he termed the Islamabad launch an important milestone in the book’s growing international outreach and a reflection of strengthening Pak–Uzbek relations.
Mr. Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director of the Development Strategy Center, elaborated on the profound transformation of Uzbekistan’s public administration over the past eight years. He emphasized that governance reforms have redefined the relationship between the state and citizens, placing human dignity at the center of policymaking. Transparency, participatory budgeting, institutionalized accountability, and service-oriented governance were highlighted as key pillars of reform.
Spokesperson to President of Pakistan and former Information Minister, Mr. Murtaza Solangi, emphasized the deep cultural, historical, and geographical affinities between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. He noted that the two countries are connected by shared heritage, linguistic similarities, and close physical proximity, with vast untapped potential for cooperation in education, agriculture, technology, culture, and trade. He described Uzbekistan’s reform momentum as a “third renaissance” rooted in history, driven by openness, innovation, and a youthful demographic, stressing that enhanced regional connectivity with Central Asia is both timely and necessary.
The event was well attended by senior diplomats, government officials, scholars, journalists, and students.