Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif has said that for establishing land link with Tajikistan three options are under consideration, two links pass through Afghanistan while the third link is through Kashgar, China.
Addressing a joint media briefing at the conclusion of the fifth session of Pakistan–Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, Khawaja Asif said that the third link which is Margab-Kashgar and Khunjarab is more practical.
Khawaja Asif said that both the sides will further enhance their cooperation in different fields; Pakistan will facilitate Tajikistan in counter terrorism efforts which affect the region adding that the import of electricity through CASA 1000 project will further enhance relations.
Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Usmonali Usmonzoda said Tajikistan will be undertaking the difficult project of CASA 1000 which will pass through mountainous region. However, he said that Tajikistan had the expertise to undertake such projects.
When asked about joining Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement, which Afghanistan has linked with the inclusion of India, Tajik Minister hoped that positivity will prevail to resolve the issue in the best possible manner.
The two day session was co-chaired by the two ministers. Meetings were held between the experts of the two sides on a number of issues, with special focus on trade and commerce, energy, agriculture, education, science and technology, and other matters of mutual interest.
Both sides agreed to enhance business contacts through organizing the second meeting of Joint Business Council on the sidelines of the Inaugural Session of Joint Working Group on Trade, Investment and Transport in Dushanbe in October 2016.
Both sides agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) on supervisory cooperation. In this regard, the SBP will share a draft MoU through diplomatic channels within three months.
Tajik side was apprised that their request for accession to Quadrilateral Agreement for Traffic-in-Transit (among Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan)was under consideration. Tajikistan appreciated the initiative of Pakistan to organize a truck caravan under the framework of Quadrilateral Agreement and has agreed to participate in this project.
Bilateral Transport Agreement will also be discussed during the first meeting of Joint Working Group on Trade, Investment and Transport, scheduled in October 2016 in Dushanbe. The sides noted with satisfaction the progress made so far in realization of CASA-1000 project and also expressed the resolve to initiate the physical work on the project as early as possible to achieve the desired delivery of energy.
The parties also highlighted the mutual interest for export of additional 1000 MW by Tajikistan to Pakistan outside CASA-1000 Project. Both sides have notified the technical committee members and the first meeting of the committee is proposed to be held as early as possible. The committee will review the previous reports prepared by Tajikistan and will develop a road map for future activities.
Both sides agreed to establish joint ventures with Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) for the detection and processing of oil and gas in Tajikistan on a government to government basis.
The Tajiks showed an interest establishing joint ventures with Pakistani investors in the fields of processing ginned cotton and wool and leather finished products (cotton fabric, sewn and knitted products, leather jackets, bags and shoes).
In order to effectively collaborate in the field of agriculture, a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be formed. Both sides agreed to share the composition of members of JWG through diplomatic channels. The two sides agreed to the renewal of Agreement between Pakistan and Tajikistan on Scientific and Technological Cooperation signed in 1992 through exchange of diplomatic notes. A decision was made to appoint Focal points to combat the menace of drug and narcotics trafficking.
Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan said that Pakistan wants to conclude bilateral arrangements of transit trade and Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Tajikistan this year in order to generate massive trade and investment activity between Pakistan and the Central Asian states.
Ministry of Commerce has provided the Tajik trade authorities with the draft of the proposed PTA on which further negotiations will take place. Minister Dastgir said that Pakistan wants to enter into a larger trade facilitation framework with the Central Asian states to alleviate the unwanted restrictions which bar trade and investment from flourishing.
He said that the CASA-1000 project will provide the basis to convert that transmission zone into an energy corridor where energy grids can flow both ways. The Tajik minister said that the energy and road projects are extremely vital for the Tajik economy and that the Tajik government is pursuing them aggressively. He said that upon the successful completion of the CASA-1000 project the two counties may explore the possibility of another relatively smaller electricity line through the Wakhan corridor of Afghanistan into Pakistan.
Tajik minister hinted at importing oil from the Middle East and refining it in Pakistan before taking it up north to Tajikistan through a pipeline. This would diversify the energy procurement options of Tajikistan in future, he added. He was of the view that through the transit of energy Pakistan will benefit greatly because of the transit fee.