Uzbekistan Airways to launch Tashkent–Islamabad flights from June 14
Direct air link simplifies travel for students, pilgrims, and official delegations
ISLAMABAD: In a landmark move aimed at enhancing regional air connectivity, Uzbekistan Airways will commence direct flights between Islamabad and Tashkent on 14 June 2025.
The service, operating every Saturday, reflects a strategic push to deepen cooperation between the two nations across sectors ranging from trade and tourism to education and infrastructure development.
According to the Uzbek embassy in Islamabad, the new air route marks a vital addition to the Central and South Asia Connectivity Initiative – an ambitious regional framework championed by Uzbekistan’s leadership to link landlocked Central Asia to global trade corridors. The direct connection is expected to foster stronger diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between the two historically linked countries.
Islamabad to Tashkent
The new Islamabad service complements Uzbekistan Airways’ existing Pakistan network, which already includes biweekly direct flights to Lahore on Wednesdays and Fridays. Together, these flights bolster the airline’s regional reach and facilitate smoother access to Central Asia for Pakistani travellers – and vice versa.
Officials highlight that this new link is set to benefit a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including textile exporters, agri-businesses, pharmaceutical companies, tourism operators, and logistics firms. The route provides new momentum to joint goals of expanding trade, attracting investment, and supporting regional supply chain networks.
Who will benefit?
This air link is not just commercial in nature – it also holds cultural and social significance. Easier travel will enable more frequent exchanges between students, academics, pilgrims, tourists, and official delegations. The embassy noted that both countries have seen rising tourist flows in recent years, with shared Islamic heritage, historic architecture, and natural landscapes acting as strong mutual draws.
For Pakistani travellers, Uzbekistan’s Silk Road gems – Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva – are now more accessible. In turn, Uzbek tourists can explore Pakistan’s mountainous north and heritage-rich cities.
What’s the bigger picture?
The Islamabad–Tashkent flight is part of a broader regional transformation effort. As the Uzbek embassy notes, the route supports multi-modal infrastructure developments like the Trans-Afghan Railway, and aligns with regional ambitions to become a “land-linked hub” connecting Central and South Asia.