ISLAMABAD, 30 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi has said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan share much more than formal diplomatic relations, as their ties are deeply rooted in shared history, culture and spiritual heritage. Addressing a special cultural concert titled “Uzbekistan-Pakistan: Melodies of Friendship and Brotherhood” at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), the minister said poetry, music, art and ideas had travelled across the region for centuries, bringing the peoples of Pakistan and Uzbekistan closer. The concert was organised by the Embassy of Uzbekistan to mark the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence and was attended by a large number of diplomats, senior officials and dignitaries from various countries.Aurangzeb Khan Khichi congratulated the government and people of Uzbekistan on the 35th anniversary of their independence and said the theme of the evening, “Melodies of Friendship and Brotherhood,” aptly 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,” the minister said. He welcomed the Uzbek artists who had travelled to Pakistan to showcase the richness of Uzbekistan’s cultural and musical traditions.

The minister said Pakistan highly valued its cultural partnership with Uzbekistan and expressed hope that cooperation would be further expanded in areas including 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 interact, learn and work together. The minister thanked the Embassy of Uzbekistan and Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev for organising the cultural evening and for contributing to strengthening people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev described the concert as a “cultural gift from the people of Uzbekistan to the friendly people of Pakistan,” reflecting 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 facilitated the exchange of knowledge, literature, science, music and art. The cultural evening served as a vibrant celebration of the shared heritage and enduring friendship between Pakistan and Uzbekistan, while underscoring the importance of cultural diplomacy in bringing the two peoples closer.