Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the need for increased bilateral trade between Pakistan and Tajikistan, highlighting that the current trade volume does not reflect the robust relationship between the two nations. Speaking alongside Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, PM Sharif announced the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening their strategic partnership.
PM Sharif highlighted a key agreement on strategic partnership, stating, “These agreements will go a long way in furthering our brotherly ties and expanding our scope of cooperation.” He committed to working closely with President Rahmon to enhance cooperation in agriculture, education, health, and investment sectors, in addition to boosting bilateral trade.
Strategic trade and infrastructure initiatives
The prime minister underscored the importance of setting ambitious targets to increase trade and investment between the two countries. He proposed a rail-road connectivity project to facilitate the transport of goods from Dushanbe to Karachi port via Afghanistan, identifying this route as an area of significant economic potential. Additionally, PM Sharif expressed Pakistan’s interest in participating in the China-Tajikistan-Afghanistan trade corridor project, viewing it as an opportunity to expand multilateral trade in the region.
Progress on CASA 1000 and visa relaxations
PM Sharif expressed confidence that the CASA 1000 energy project, which aims to bring electricity from Central Asia to South Asia, would be completed by next year, promising economic prosperity for the region. He also highlighted an MoU concerning visa relaxation, which he believes will facilitate easier achievement of mutual goals between Pakistan and Tajikistan.
Collaboration against terrorism and regional peace
Addressing the shared threat of terrorism, PM Sharif recounted Pakistan’s significant sacrifices in combating terrorism, with thousands of lives lost and considerable economic damage. He offered cooperation to Tajikistan in fighting terrorism, emphasising the importance of collective efforts to eliminate this menace in all its forms.
Global and regional issues
PM Sharif touched upon various global challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He condemned the violence in Gaza, where nearly 40,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, including many women and children, terming it genocide. He also reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), stressing that lasting peace in the region requires a just resolution to the Kashmir issue in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Official welcoming ceremony and signing of agreements
The day began with an official welcoming ceremony at Qasr e Millat, where President Rahmon received PM Sharif. Following the ceremony, the two leaders engaged in a tete-a-tete meeting and delegation-level talks, culminating in the signing of the ‘Strategic Partnership Agreement’ to elevate their bilateral relations to a long-term strategic partnership.
Expanding bilateral relations
To further solidify their bilateral ties, Pakistan and Tajikistan signed multiple agreements and MoUs in diverse fields including aviation, diplomacy, education, sports, industrial cooperation, and tourism. Both leaders also voiced serious concerns over the situation in Gaza and called on the international community to intensify efforts to end the violence and bring peace to the region.
The commitment to deepen their fraternal ties and expand cooperation across various sectors marks a significant step forward in the relationship between Pakistan and Tajikistan, promising mutual economic growth and stability.