Uzbekistan

The Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan has approved a law granting personnel of the Security Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) the authority to handle administrative offenses, including smoking in public places and environmental violations. The bill introduces amendments to the Administrative Liability Code, enabling security officers to independently record violations and take measures.

In the Bektemir district of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the supply of natural gas was temporarily suspended today, April 7. This measure was implemented due to scheduled repair work on the gas networks, aimed at maintaining the safety and reliability of the city's infrastructure.

In Yangiul district of Tashkent region, a large-scale illegal tree-cutting operation was uncovered during an environmental police raid, where a company was found to have felled and uprooted 121 trees using special machinery in the "Lazzat" neighborhood. This incident highlights significant challenges in environmental protection and regulatory enforcement in the area, raising concerns about the sustainability of natural resources amidst economic activities.

The State Security Service of Uzbekistan reported the identification of two separate corruption cases in the Namangan and Fergana regions. In Namangan region, the chief architect of the construction and housing utilities department of Namangan district demanded $1,500 from the head of a family-owned enterprise. He promised to formalize project documentation for a car wash built in part of a residential building and to lift a ban on its use.

Deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan have considered and adopted a bill proposing to transfer the investigation of crimes against the sexual freedom of women and children to the prosecutor's office, as well as to toughen penalties for such crimes, especially those involving minors.

The Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan has expressed official objections to a draft decision that would impose taxes on artists for every event, including weddings and concerts. According to press secretary Sirojiddin Usarov, the draft was published by the Ministry of Justice for public discussion and plans to mandate the registration of all artists' services in the Tax Application starting September 1. Taxes would be levied based on the “one service — one payment” principle, even if the service is provided free of charge.

New Construction Project in Tashkent: Urban Infrastructure Development and Challenges

Uzbekistan and Pakistan have discussed cooperation in the production of high-technology pharmaceutical products for treating cancer and cardiovascular diseases. An online meeting was held with the participation of Abdulla Azizov, Director of the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Network of Uzbekistan, Pakistan's health envoy, and Said Nadim Ahmed, Director of The Searle Company Limited.

According to official reports, Uzbekistan's cotton harvest season has yielded approximately 3.5 million tons of cotton, marking an 8% increase compared to the previous year. The Ministry of Agriculture attributes this growth to agricultural reforms and the adoption of modern technologies in the sector.

In the Bukhara region and the city of Andijan in Uzbekistan, individuals involved in the illegal trade of potent medicinal drugs have been arrested. According to the Department under the General Prosecutor's Office, these incidents occurred as part of efforts to combat the illicit circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances, highlighting ongoing challenges in pharmaceutical market oversight.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has adopted a resolution to relocate greenhouse farms from Tashkent and Tashkent Region, which have a negative environmental impact, to the "Surkhon-Agro" agro-industrial zone in Surkhandarya Region. The decision aims to improve the ecology of the capital and make more efficient use of the climatic conditions in the southern region.

On Monday, an official launch ceremony for the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council took place in Washington. The event was attended by the council's co-chairs — Head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva and US Special Representative for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor. This structure is aimed at strengthening business ties between the two countries, with its activities purportedly based on the political will of the presidents of Uzbekistan and the US.