Dushanbe (TDI): Pakistan and Tajikistan are working to significantly enhance their bilateral trade, with both countries targeting $300 million in annual trade through the implementation of the Pakistan-Tajikistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Dr. Mohammad Saeed Sarwar.
Speaking at a joint session with Pakistani journalists and local business leaders in Dushanbe, Ambassador Muhammad Saeed Sarwar highlighted the strong potential for enhanced commercial engagement between the two countries.
He described the PTA as a key step toward regional economic integration and said it would support business growth across multiple sectors.
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One of the most promising areas identified is the halal meat market, with Pakistan planning to export about 143,000 tons of halal products to Tajikistan, valued at roughly $14.5 million.
“The PTA provides a framework for deeper economic engagement, creating opportunities for exporters and investors in Pakistan and Tajikistan,” he noted.
The envoy also underlined the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen economic ties, pointing to ongoing discussions aimed at expanding trade in textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and other key sectors.
Ambassador Sarwar highlighted Tajikistan’s impressive economic growth, noting its 8 percent annual GDP expansion as a sign of a rapidly developing economy. He also pointed to continued high-level engagements, including the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in May this year.
Recently, Tajikistan’s Minister of Culture inaugurated the first-ever Tajik Cultural Week in Islamabad, reflecting growing people-to-people and cultural connections. “Pakistan and Tajikistan share deep commonalities in faith, history, literature, and culture,” Ambassador Sarwar said.
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He added that Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Tajikistan’s independence and establish diplomatic relations, and that the two nations enjoy strong historical, social, linguistic, and religious bonds.
Ambassador Sarwar also reaffirmed the Embassy of Pakistan’s commitment to promoting academic and educational cooperation between the two countries.
Over the past 15 months, Tajikistan’s ambassador to Pakistan has actively spearheaded initiatives to enhance cultural, diplomatic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.
With economic, cultural, and educational collaborations advancing in tandem, Pakistan and Tajikistan are set on a path to deepen their partnership, fostering stability and growth in the region.
Minahil Khurshid holds a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from CIPS, NUST. She has a strong interest in current affairs, geopolitics, and policy analysis.
