Chairman Senate Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, in a meeting with Tajik ambassador Zulbaydullo N. Zubaydov, said that Pakistan highly value its relations with Tajikistan, as our ties are rooted in shared religion, culture and history and enhancing communication through the Wahkhan corridor, between the two countries, can boost trade relations and people to people contacts.
While talking about regional connectivity and increasing cooperation between regional countries, the chairman said that the world is moving towards regionalism, as countries within regions have shared interests. He emphasized the need for closer cooperation in various fields, particularly in trade and economic relations between the two countries.
The chairman said that increasing communication linkages via roads on the Wahkhan border will not only assist trade between both the countries but also increase people to people contact. Pakistan can export its surplus food, wheat, rice, fine quality mangoes, citrus fruits and textile goods to Tajikstan, he added.
The Tajik Ambassador told the chairman that the Tajik President will be visiting Pakistan soon along with Parliamentary members and other delegates. There will also be quartet meetings (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Russia) in Dushanbe in October to explore more avenues for cooperation in the region.
Talking about increasing trade volume, he agreed with the chairman that it should be increased via more road linkages through the Wahkhan corridor and Torkham. The Tajik Ambassador also offered a 1000 MW electricity transmission line from Tajikistan to Pakistan in order to help resolve its energy crisis.
Zubaydullo told Nayyer that parliamentary contact between the two countries was not proactive and inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries can provide bedrock for building bilateral relations and hence should be focused on.
He also emphasized the need for more frequent people to people contact through exchange of parliamentary, business, trade and cultural delegations.
The chairman appreciated Tajikistan’s offer of the 1000 MW electricity supply line. He said that the parliament represents the will of the people and an exchange of parliamentary delegations between the two countries can boost bilateral relations and lead to enhanced engagement and cooperation between the two countries.
While talking about the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on regional peace, the chairman said that we believe in an Afghan led and Afghan owned solution; and peace in Afghanistan is essential for regional peace, progress and prosperity.
The Ambassador extended an invitation to the Chairman Senate to visit Tajikistan with a parliamentary delegation in order to boost bilateral relations.
