In the post 2014 geo-strategic scenario, it is important that Pakistan and Tajikistan develop closer cooperation in all fields, particularly in the areas of defence, security and intelligence after drawdown of foreign forces from Afghanistan, President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said on Saturday.
He proposed that the interior ministers should meet regularly and more often for this purpose. The proposal was mooted and instantly accepted by Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon during a meeting between the two leaders soon after President Zardari arrived from Islamabad on a two day visit to this Central Asian state which is separated from Pakistan only by a narrow strip of few kilometers in Wakhan in Afghanistan.
It was decided that modalities for the meetings between the interior ministers would be worked out during the current visit. President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said soon after arrival, the president drove straight to inaugurate the National Bank branch in Dushanbe describing it as step to further cement business and trade relations before holding a one on one and a delegation level meeting with President Rahmon. The delegation level meeting was attended by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Amjad Hussain B Sial, Farhatullah Babar, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jillani, Senator Abbas Khan and other senior officials of the Foreign Office.
During the delegation level talks, the Tajik president was assisted by Tajik ministers and senior officials. Babar said Zardari also proposed regular consultations led by the Foreign Offices and composed of relevant ministries and agencies to prepare plans for the evolving scenario as a result of the drawdown of foreign forces from Afghanistan. He said stable Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan, Tajikistan and the entire region and that regional solutions must be found to regional issues. He said that Pakistan supported Afghan-led reconciliation process for bringing stability in Afghanistan. The president also called for removing impediments in developing closer economic cooperation by improving air, road and rail connectivity and stepped up people to people contacts and tourism.
