Pakistan, Tajikistan agree to uplift trade, defence ties

• Islamabad, Dushanbe agree to hold first joint working group meeting on terrorism
• Tajik leader invites Pakistani investors to join trade free zones in his land locked state

With a focus on regional connectivity, trade and energy, Pakistan and Tajikistan on Wednesday agreed on exploring new avenues of cooperation by increasing collaborating in economy, defence and security, agriculture and education.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, who is here in the Tajik capital on a two-day official visit, along with President Emomali Rahmon inked the joint declaration aimed at enhancing regional connectivity between the two countries and the region at large.

The two leaders emphasised close collaboration both at the government and people level, besides giving a further boost to their bilateral relations. They also witnessed inking of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on trade cooperation.

Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir signed the document on trade cooperation along with Tajik Minister for Economy Naimatullah Hikmatullah Zada. On cooperation between the Arid Agriculture University of Rawalpindi and the Agriculture University of Dushanbe, the MoU was signed by Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Rector Naimatullah Faizullah.

In his statement to the press at the conclusion of his one-on-one and delegation-level talks with President Emomali, Prime Minister Nawaz said that he was impressed by the remarkable political stability, social cohesion and impressive economic progress of Tajikistan. He said the two sides discussed the importance of road, rail and air connectivity that was vital for regional integration, promotion of bilateral trade, tourism, people-to-people contacts.

“We have therefore resolved to multiply our efforts to increase connectivity between our two countries,” he said. He said that his visit had provided an opportunity to translate their close political ties into strategic cooperation in all spheres particularly economy, trade, investment energy and defense. During the talks, the two sides also agreed to continue cooperation in international fora including the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organisation.

Vowing joint steps against terrorism, the two sides agreed on holding first meeting of the Joint Working Group this month on countering international terrorism. Prime Minister Nawaz said that the two sides also identified the need for increased cooperation in agriculture, industry, education and culture.

The prime minister said that Islamabad attaches great importance to its relations with the Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan. Both the leaders agreed that connectivity holds key to regional integration. They expressed satisfaction on the progress achieved so far in the economic sphere particularly with regard to CASA-1000 project and hoped it would soon move into the construction phase.

He stressed the need for further enhancing trade, energy and defence cooperation. He referred to the bilateral trade and said as agreed in 2014, the two countries need to take measures to boost it to $500 million in the next three years. He announced opening of a commercial section at the Pakistan Embassy in Dushanbe.

Over the past few years, the bilateral trade has hovered between 40 to 90 million dollars. However, the two countries have agreed on boosting it to 500 million dollars. Prime Minister Nawaz said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would provide new opportunities for enhanced connectivity and integration from Gwadar to Kashgar.

It would also provide a road link with Tajikistan and other Central Asian states. He said that Pakistan attaches great importance to security cooperation with Tajikistan. He said that the two countries can share experience on counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, controlling human trafficking and border control.

The prime minister said the close fraternal relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan were based on shared goals of peace, prosperity and progress. He said that Tajikistan’s formal accession to Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA) among China Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan would facilitate regional integration and boost economic development.

Nawaz also offered capacity building of the Tajik armed forces. He shared with the Tajik president the deteriorating situation in the Indian-held Kashmir and said the international community need to stand up with the Kashmiri people and reject the violation of human rights.

In his statement, President Rahmon congratulated Pakistan on accession to the SCO and noted the strong ties between the two countries and said it coincides with 25 anniversary of their ties that have grown stronger over the years. He said the talks were held in warm constructive atmosphere and emphasised that stronger ties would boost regional cooperation and economic relations.

He said continued dialogue would boost ties between the two countries and stressed the need to finalize agreement on bilateral transit trade at earliest. The Tajik president hoped that Pakistani investors would join trade free zones in Tajikistan.

He said Tajikistan was land locked and was keen to use opportunities by Pakistan to use its ports for exporting Tajik goods to rest of the world. He said both sides exchanged views on regional situation and need to expand ties at ECO, OIC and SCO.

President Rahmon hosts dinner: President Rahmon hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and members of his entourage. The Tajik leader hosted the dinner at Koh e Naovruz Hall, known for its intricate woodwork.