Uzbekistan has uncovered a major breach of civil service rules after authorities revealed that nearly 60 officials in the Khorezm region were simultaneously holding public office while running or managing private businesses.

Investigators found that nearly 60 public officials in the region were simultaneously engaged in entrepreneurial activities, a practice explicitly prohibited by law, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

Despite an overall 34 per cent decline in corruption-related offenses in 2025 compared to 2024, the situation within local government bodies remains a serious concern.

Speaking on the findings, Anti-Corruption Agency Director Akmal Burkhanov said inspections of regional, district, and city administrations revealed that around 60 senior officials were officially listed as founders or held managerial positions in commercial entities.

Uzbek law strictly bans civil servants from running businesses, establishing commercial companies, or performing organizational and managerial functions in private enterprises. However, in 2025 alone, 12 officials have already been held administratively liable for similar violations and conflicts of interest, while newly uncovered cases point to the systemic nature of the problem.

As a result of the inspection, proposals have been submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Council calling for strict disciplinary measures against more than ten senior officials found to be in breach of the law.

Experts warn that attempts by officials to “sit on two chairs with one butt” not only undermine public trust but also fuel shadow schemes and unfair competition, posing long-term risks to transparent governance and economic development in the region.