Uzbekistan

In the Namangan region of Uzbekistan, a nearly two-decade-long legal dispute has reached a just conclusion. An entrepreneur from the "Umid" neighborhood in Davlatabad district has secured compensation for his shop, which was demolished by a decision of local authorities 17 years ago. This case highlights the active role of justice agencies in protecting property rights, facilitated by ongoing reforms in the judicial system.

The government of Uzbekistan has put forward a draft resolution for public discussion, proposing to cover 25% of the initial down payment on mortgages for medical and pharmaceutical workers with at least 15 years of service. The document is available on the Portal for Discussion of Draft Regulatory Legal Acts.

Uzbekistan has launched the national project 'Second Chance' (Ikkinchi Imkon), aimed at the social rehabilitation of convicted youth by providing them with access to training in modern professions. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed the corresponding decree on implementing this social initiative.

The Credit Information Analytical Center (CIAC), under the initiative of the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, has launched a new service called “Credit Notification.” This service enables citizens to receive immediate alerts about new credit contracts registered in their name. Notifications are sent via SMS and as push notifications in the CIAC mobile app, aiding in the timely detection of illegal or unauthorized loans.

Representatives from Uzbekistan's Central Bank, Tax Committee, and Ministry of Justice detailed new cashless payment regulations set to take effect on April 1 during a public meeting in Tashkent. Officials stated that transactions involving real estate, vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, and any purchases exceeding 25 million Uzbek soums must be conducted exclusively through non-cash methods.

A new and unusual method of drug trafficking has been uncovered in Uzbekistan. Criminals are placing prohibited substances inside balloons and selling them along roadsides. This was reported in a segment by the Milliy television channel, which focused on modern drug trade techniques.

Uzbekistan's Minister of Investments, Industry, and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, addressed the country's growing external debt in an interview with the 'Expert' project. He emphasized that external borrowed funds are 'essentially free money,' playing a crucial role in rapidly developing infrastructure and improving living standards. The minister noted that relying solely on the state budget to build roads, schools, and hospitals would take decades, but external debt accelerates this process.

Lahore Qalandars batter Fakhar Zaman has been charged with ball-tampering during Sunday's Pakistan Super League (PSL) match against Karachi Kings, as stated by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in an official release. The incident occurred in the final over, with Karachi requiring 14 runs to secure a win. Fakhar, along with Lahore captain Shaheen Afridi and fast bowler Haris Rauf, were involved in a brief discussion, during which Fakhar and Rauf exchanged the ball between them.

Alimjan Tashkenbayev, a Honored Artist of Uzbekistan and a prominent figure in Uzbek circus arts, has passed away at the age of 81. The Ministry of Culture confirmed the news, highlighting his role as a representative of the globally renowned Tashkenbayev circus dynasty. Throughout his life, he made substantial contributions to the development of national tightrope walking traditions, cementing his status as a key figure in this cultural field.

According to Uzbekistan's Tax Committee, nearly 22,000 complaints were received from citizens in February regarding cases of refusing cashless payments via terminals to hide income and accepting payments through peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers. Deputy Chairman of the committee, Jahongir Abdiyev, disclosed this on March 27 during a media dialogue organized by the Central Bank, stating that the increasing violations necessitate a review of the effectiveness of applied penalties.

Law enforcement agencies in Uzbekistan, including the State Security Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and customs committees, have jointly carried out a series of operational and preventive measures under the "Safe and Healthy Country" initiative to combat the illegal trafficking of narcotics and potent substances. These operations spanned several regions of the country simultaneously.

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan has launched a new Account-to-Account (A2A) money transfer format, enabling individuals to directly transfer funds from one bank account to another. This service is being implemented under the presidential decree of December 10, 2025, and aims to develop digital financial technologies and expand opportunities for users.