Official who defied Karimov’s orders passes away at 94

Ismoil Jurabekov, a prominent statesman and public figure who served as State Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan and First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, has died at the age of 94. The news was confirmed by Shukhrat Suyunov, press secretary of the Minister of Water Resources.

Born on September 12, 1931, in the Samarkand region, Jurabekov devoted much of his life to leadership roles in agriculture and water management, making significant contributions to the country’s development.

Jurabekov’s name is held in particular respect in Uzbek political circles. In the 1990s, he headed the state agro-industrial sector. From 1994 to 1998, he served as Minister of Agriculture and Water Resources, and from 2000 to 2004, he was State Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on agricultural affairs and Deputy Chairman of the government. He demonstrated great dedication in carrying out numerous tasks during some of the most difficult transitional periods in the country’s history — even at personal risk.

He is widely regarded as one of the few officials who openly defied the orders of the First President, Islam Karimov. In his memoirs, Jurabekov recalled that Karimov had once ordered him to blow up the bridge connecting Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, but he refused, thereby preserving relations between the two peoples.

Jurabekov also served as a deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the Uzbek SSR during the 9th to 11th convocations. He was awarded the Orders “For Great Services” and “Friendship,” as well as several high state honors from Tajikistan and the former USSR.

It is worth noting that Akmalkhon Ikromjon ugli Ikromov, who previously served as mayor of Namangan in the early years of independence, also passed away recently at the age of 76.