Uzbekistan-Pakistan: History of Friendship and Cooperation.

Friendly relations between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Pakistan go back to the distant past. Today, these ties are developing further, taking strength from historical roots. Zahiriddin Muhammad Babur and the Baburid dynasty, Muhammad Iqbal, Mirza Ghalib, and other great thinkers and poets, immortal heritage, and enlightened views are a strong spiritual bridge connecting our peoples. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in the history, culture, and art of Pakistan in Uzbekistan, particularly in studying the Urdu language. In turn, Pakistan also pays great attention to projects aimed at studying and research ing the Uzbek language, literature, and our country's history. In particular, "Babur Heritage Center" was opened at the University of Punjab, and "Alisher Navoi Center" for studying Uzbek language and culture was opened at the University of Peshawar. In recent years, the development of cultural-humanitarian relations, joint study of our common spiritual heritage, and development of cooperation in the fields of science, education, culture, and sports have been achieved. It should also be noted that interest in Pakistan's rich history and culture is also growing in Uzbekistan.

For example, the life and creative heritage of Mirza Ghalib, the great poet of the East, and the great thinker who founded the literary language Urdu, is studied in depth. Today there are about 10 million mem bers of the Naqshbandi tariqah in Pakistan and many admirers of Zahirid din Muhammad Babur. All conditions have been created for them to make pilgrimages to Bukhara, Samarkand, and Andijan holy places. The filming of a film about our ancestor Babur has started in cooperation with the filmmakers of the two countries. Strengthening cooperation in the field of medical education to protect human health will be beneficial for our nations. At this point, we are pleased that over the past three years, among Pakistani youth, there has been an increased inter est in studying in medical universities of Uzbekistan. More than 750 Pakistani youth are currently studying in this specialization in our country. The traditional friendship and multi-vec tor practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan are getting stronger, and the reforms of both countries on the way to development are consistent and similar.

The Cultural Exchange Program for 2021-2026 and the Memorandum of Understanding between the University of World Economy and Diplomacy and the Foreign Service...