CASA 1000, a power project which will enable Pakistan to import 1,000MW of electricity to meet its growing energy needs, will be among the areas of cooperation that is expected to come under discussion during President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Pakistan.
CASA-1000 is a project of regional energy cooperation among Tajikistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan.
President Emomali will visit Pakistan on November 12-13, 2015, at the invitation of Prime Minister Nawaz Shari. This will be President Rahmon’s sixth visit to Pakistan.
The Tajik president will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising ministers and other senior officials. A number of leading businessmen of Tajikistan are also expected to accompany the president.
During his two-day stay in Islamabad, the Tajik president will meet PM Nawaz and President Mamnoon Hussain.
The visit of the Tajik president is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, the statement said.
The visit is of great significance, especially in the context of the shared desire to enhance cooperation in political, economic, energy, infrastructure development for rail and road links, air connectivity; social, human resource development and cultural spheres; defence and security relations.
Earlier this year in June, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Tajikistan to discuss various aspects of bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The premier had said at the time that Tajikistan was Pakistan’s closest neighbour in Central Asia, located at the confluence of South and Central Asia, and was a gateway to the region.
Pakistan and Tajikistan had vowed to work for early completion of CASA 1000 during the prime minister’s visit.
Pakistan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Tajikistan soon after its independence in 1991.
The bilateral relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect, shared interests and brotherhood and have been growing positively and steadily over the years, the handout added.
