Uzbekistan and Pakistan to expand tourism cooperation

Uzbekistan and Pakistan intend to deepen cooperation in the tourism industry. During the second meeting of the Joint Working Group on Tourism, representatives of the two countries discussed ways to increase mutual tourist flow and develop new tourist destinations, according to the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

According to statistics, Uzbekistan received 18,752 tourists from Pakistan in 2025. From January to July 2026, the number of Pakistani citizens visiting Uzbekistan amounted to 13,095. Thus, in the first seven months of this year, this figure reached 70% of the total number of tourists from Pakistan for the entire previous year.

The development of direct air service was also discussed at the meeting. Currently, six flights operate weekly between Uzbekistan and Pakistan: four on the Tashkent-Lahore route and two on the Tashkent-Islamabad route.

In September of this year, Centrum Air plans to launch a direct flight from Tashkent to Karachi. Following its opening, the total number of regular direct flights between the two countries is expected to increase to eight per week.

Meeting participants proposed expanding cooperation in a number of areas, including pilgrimage, gastronomy, medical, MICE, and educational tourism.

The Uzbek side also invited Pakistani tourism companies to participate in the Tashkent International Tourism Fair "Tourism on the Silk Road" (TITF-2026), which will be held in Tashkent from November 25 to 27, 2026.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their commitment to continue strengthening tourism ties and expanding mutual tourism exchanges.