Minister Kochkarov held a lavish wedding for his daughter (video)

Jamshid Kochkarov, the Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, recently hosted an extravagant wedding celebration for his daughter, Sevinch.

A video shared on social media features Minister Kochkarov congratulating his daughter and son-in-law, Saidali Ubaidullayev, amid lavish decorations at the undisclosed wedding venue. This lavish celebration raises eyebrows, particularly given President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's previous criticism of extravagant weddings.

In 2018, Mirziyoyev condemned the opulence surrounding weddings and the attendance of officials at such events. He implemented a ban on government officials, from the Prime Minister to local mayors, attending lavish wedding ceremonies, emphasizing that no state vehicle should be parked in front of tea houses or wedding halls.

The President outlined strict guidelines, including limiting guest lists to a maximum of 150 attendees, with dinners extending to 200. He criticized the societal pressure surrounding wedding expenses, asserting that such financial burdens could lead families to borrow money or neglect personal well-being for the sake of hosting a wedding.

Mirziyoyev reiterated that lavish weddings could perpetuate corruption and injustice, advocating for equality in wedding celebrations. He proposed that any government official caught violating these norms would face immediate consequences.

On September 14, 2019, a joint decision was made by the Legislative Chamber and Senate of Uzbekistan to regulate weddings and family celebrations, aiming to prevent extravagance and ambition.

Recently, Minister Kochkarov also reported that Uzbekistan's public debt stood at $37 billion in the first half of 2024, representing 33.2% of the gross domestic product, while highlighting the importance of managing the nation's financial obligations responsibly.