On 19 August 2026, the senior management of Habib Rafiq Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. (HRL), one of Pakistan’s leading conglomerates with extensive expertise in construction, engineering, infrastructure, and real estate development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Khorezm Region, Republic of Uzbekistan, marking an important step toward the proposed development of a new smart city as part of the expansion of the historic city of Khiva.
This agreement represents a significant milestone for the future of Khiva and the Khorezm Region, opening new opportunities for sustainable urban development, investment, innovation, and regional connectivity.
It was a great honour and privilege for Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram to sign this important agreement on behalf of Habib Rafiq Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd., together with His Excellency Alisher Dushanov, Deputy Governor of Khorezm Region, Uzbekistan. The signing ceremony took place at the Governor’s Office in Urgench, the provincial capital of Khorezm Region.
This initiative was started by Mr. Zahid Rafiq, Chairman, HRL Group, and Mr. Jahanzaib Zahid, Vice Chairman, HRL Group, who are strong believers in promoting regional connectivity, economic cooperation, and sustainable development among the friendly countries of the region.
With a proven track record in large-scale infrastructure and smart city development, HRL brings substantial experience to this initiative. In Pakistan, HRL has successfully developed and is developing some of the country’s most prominent urban projects, including Capital Smart City Islamabad, one of Pakistan’s largest smart city developments spanning approximately 14,500 acres, as well as Lahore Smart City. HRL has also delivered major infrastructure, housing, industrial, and urban development projects across Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Sahiwal, and Islamabad, demonstrating its capability to execute transformative projects on a national scale.
A city with more than 2,500 years of history now stands at the beginning of a new chapter—where heritage, innovation, and modern infrastructure can come together to shape a smarter, more sustainable, and better-connected future.
Habib Rafiq Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. proudly brings its expertise in smart urban planning, infrastructure development, transportation networks, utilities, and sustainable city solutions to Central Asia. The proposed smart city initiative aims to respect and preserve Khiva’s extraordinary historical and cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for residents, businesses, investors, and future generations.
This project is more than an urban development initiative; it is a vision for the future. It seeks to combine world-class infrastructure, economic growth, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability while maintaining the unique identity and legacy of one of Central Asia’s most historic cities.
Habib Rafiq Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. sincerely appreciates the confidence and cooperation of the Government of Khorezm Region, Republic of Uzbekistan, and looks forward to strengthening this partnership and working together to transform this ambitious vision into reality.
Special appreciation and thanks are extended to His Excellency Laziz Kudratov, whose continued support and encouragement for foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan have played an important role in promoting international cooperation and investment.
This initiative reflects the bold vision of His Excellency Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to promote sustainable development, modernization, and international partnerships across the country.
