Was a BMed route but that ended about a decade ago.

I'd second the suggestion of routing via ALA and was very impressed with Air Astana J class on the short hop to TAS. Other routing might be into DEL and connect on Uzbekistan Airways.

Do leave plenty of time to get your visa. Hands down the most painful and incompetent experience I have had. I was sent away at least twice as "the visa wasn't ready" depsite it being well past the date they had given me and met several other people who had to change flights due to the embassy incompetence.

Do not take photos on the metro!