Islamabad, 28 March 2023 (TDI): President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi has called for the expansion of trade and economic relations with Tajikistan, highlighting the deep historical and cultural linkages between the two brotherly countries.
During a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Tajikistan, Muhammad Saeed Sarwar, the President emphasized the need for enhancing trade and investment cooperation for mutual development.
Notably, Pakistan’s “Vision Central Asia” policy aims to build sustainable engagements with all Central Asian States, and the President reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening political, economic, and energy connectivity with the region.
Therefore, the CASA-1000 energy project is a critical component of this strategy. President Alvi urged the Ambassador to work towards improving Pakistan’s image and expanding trade, energy, and commercial relations with Tajikistan.
Moreover, he stressed the importance of establishing academic linkages between educational institutions in both countries.
For the information, Pakistan’s Virtual University and Allama Iqbal Open University offer online and distance education, which can benefit Tajik students by providing access to educational content.
Additionally, Arif Alvi emphasized the need to highlight India’s anti-minority and anti-Muslim policies and the atrocities committed by Indian security forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Afterward, congratulating Muhammad Saeed Sarwar on his appointment as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, President Alvi urged him to work towards cementing bilateral relations with the brotherly country.
This call for enhanced trade and investment cooperation comes at a time when the country is reeling from the economic breakdown.
Pakistan and Tajikistan can explore new avenues of trade and investment to help overcome the posed economic challenges.
The two countries are also expected to work towards strengthening people-to-people ties by promoting tourism and cultural exchanges.
This would not only help in promoting a better understanding between the two countries but also create new opportunities for economic growth.
The designated ambassador of #Pakistan to #tajikistan @saeedsarwar met with the president of @IslamabadCCI .Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari emphasized that the embassy should cooperate in promoting exports with Tajikistan.1/2@LahoreChamber @kcci_official @ForeignOfficePk @BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/6Bmjyvp43N
— Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari (@AHSANZAFARBAKH1) March 27, 2023
Pakistan-Tajikistan ties
To mention, Pakistan and Tajikistan share a long history of cultural, linguistic, and historical ties that date back centuries.
The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992 after Tajikistan gained independence from the Soviet Union, and since then, the relationship between the two countries has grown in different areas of cooperation.
Pakistan has played a vital role in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Tajikistan after the country experienced civil war in the early 1990s.
Pakistan sent its armed forces to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Tajikistan, and they helped in maintaining law and order in the country.
Moreover, Pakistan has provided humanitarian assistance to Tajikistan in the form of medicine and food aid during times of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and droughts.
The two countries have also worked together on energy projects, with Pakistan investing in Tajikistan’s hydroelectric power generation projects.
In 2009, Pakistan and Tajikistan signed an agreement to construct a power transmission line that would transmit 1,300MW of electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan.
This project, known as the Central Asia South Asia Electricity Transmission and Trade Project (CASA-1000), is expected to help alleviate Pakistan’s energy crisis and benefit both countries by creating a regional energy market.
In addition to energy cooperation, Pakistan and Tajikistan have also worked together in the fields of education, trade, and defense.
Several Pakistani universities have signed agreements with Tajik universities to promote academic cooperation, and Pakistani students have been awarded scholarships to study in Tajikistan.
Additionally, Pakistan has also been an active member of the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA), which seeks to promote regional trade and economic cooperation.
Defense cooperation between the two countries has also grown, with Pakistan providing training to Tajik security forces and conducting joint military exercises with Tajikistan.
The two countries have collaborated in the fight against terrorism and extremism, with Pakistan providing assistance to Tajikistan in border security and counter-terrorism operations.
Also Read: Tajikistan reiterates commitment to International Water Action Decade
Overall, Pakistan and Tajikistan share a deep and multifaceted relationship, rooted in history, culture, and common interests.
As both countries continue to work together, they have the potential to create new opportunities for mutual growth and development.
With the expansion of economic cooperation, cultural and academic exchanges, and people-to-people ties, the relationship between Pakistan and Tajikistan can become even stronger in the years to come.
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