Pak-Tajikistan ties to take new heights: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pak-Tajik ties will take new heights

Addressing a joint press conference with the Tajikistan president, he said bilateral relations will be strengthened with the signing of memorandums of understanding between the two countries.

He stressed Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan can promote trade by road and mentioned the fields of agriculture, health, education and investment where ties will be cemented.

These states have been hit by terrorism, he said adding that terrorism has cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars.

He heaped praise on Tasjisktan for giving him a warm welcome

“We are warmly welcomed everywhere in Tajikistan.

The PM laid stress on the expansion of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Tajikistan as the current volume did not reflect the current level of brotherly relationship. He said that the two states signed MoUs which would be very helpful in furthering their bilateral ties.

“These agreements will go a long way in furthering our brotherly ties and of course, expanding our scope of cooperation in the coming days.”

Shehbaz said Islamabad will work closely with Dushanbe to further cement the bilateral ties not only in fields of agriculture, education, health and promotion of investment but also in the expansion of trade.

He cited the transportation of goods from the port of Karachi to Tajikistan via Afghanistan and then from Dushanbe to Karachi port via Afghanistan through a rail-road connectivity project.

Shehbaz termed this existing opportunity as ‘an area of huge economic importance for both countries’. The prime minister said that he had a very fruitful and productive one-on-one meeting with the Tajik president, besides holding delegation-level meetings in which they discussed to explore trade and investment opportunities.

He said Pakistan would be keen to be a part of China, Tajikistan and Afghanistan trade corridor project, adding ‘it would be another opportunity to broaden the multilateral trade’ in the region.

He also referred to another MoU about the relaxation of visa requirements and said that it would be very helpful for both countries in further achieving their goals. The prime minister said the two countries had been the victims of terrorism.

Pakistan faced this menace for years and paid a heavy price. Terming it ‘a story of huge sacrifices’, the prime minister regretted that unfortunately, it resurged.

However, he reiterated Pak peace resolve and heaped praise on the Pakistan armed forces for standing firm against terrorism. The prime minister also offered cooperation to Tajikistan.

The prime minister mentioned Gaza genocide in which almost 40,000 Palestinians had lost their lives. He said Pakistan condemned this genocide in the strongest terms.

The prime minister said that Pakistan stands by the people of Palestine in their struggle. Pakistan also deeply condemned Indian atrocities in the occupied Kashmir, he said, adding for durable peace in the region, the solution to the Kashmir issue in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the implementation of resolutions of the United Nations is a must.

He landed in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe on a two-day official visit at the invitation of President Emomali Rahmon.

“The visit is a part of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Tajikistan,” a statement shared by the government on its official X account said.

“The two sides will engage in wide-ranging discussions on areas of mutual interest to further deepen bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of regional connectivity, trade, people-to-people contacts and energy as well as cooperation on multilateral issues,” it added.

The prime minister departed for Tajikistan earlier today along with a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and PM’s special aide Syed Tariq Fatemi.

Following his arrival at the Dushanbe airport, PM Shehbaz was welcomed by Tajik PM Kokhir Rasulzoda, Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma, Deputy Foreign Minister Farrukh Sharifzoda, Dushanbe Mayor Jamshid Tabarzada, Radio Pakistan reported. 

Tajik Ambassador to Pakistan Sharifzoda Yusuf and his Pakistani equivalent Saeed Sarwar were also present to welcome him along with other senior government and diplomatic officials.  

Shehbaz then visited the monument of Tajik national hero Ismail Samani, where he laid a floral wreath, Radio Pakistan stated. Arriving later at the presidential palace Qasr-i-Millat, the premier was welcomed by President Rahmon and presented a guard of honour by the Tajik armed forces.