Islamabad : The seventh Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission meeting, held in Islamabad on Wednesday, marked a pivotal step in strengthening ties between the two nations, culminating in the signing of two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and protocols aimed at fostering bilateral cooperation.
Co-chaired by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Power Division, Sardar Awais Leghari, and Tajikistan’s Minister for Energy and Water Resources, Jum’a Daler Shofaqir, the meeting witnessed the forging of a historic partnership between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Tajikistan’s Khatlon province. The agreement aims to enhance regional collaboration and drive mutual socio-economic development. Another MoU, focused on cooperation between the Pakistan and Tajikistan Football Federations, promises to promote sports and youth engagement in both countries.
Federal Minister Leghari underscored the longstanding relationship between the two nations, deeply rooted in shared cultural, historical, and religious ties. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to boosting bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as trade, energy, education, and agriculture, emphasizing the potential of joint initiatives to foster economic growth.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strategic position at the crossroads of Central and West Asia, Leghari invited Tajik investments and expressed optimism about leveraging the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program to facilitate regional connectivity. He also emphasized the timely completion of the CASA-1000 energy project, envisioning it as a transformative venture for energy cooperation between the two nations.
Tajik Minister Jum’a Daler Shofaqir expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s unwavering support since Tajikistan’s independence in 1991 and lauded the progress in bilateral relations. He reaffirmed his country’s dedication to enhancing collaboration in trade, energy, and infrastructure, stressing the importance of people-to-people exchanges and cultural linkages.
Economic Affairs Secretary Dr. Kazim Niaz highlighted the need to boost the modest trade volume between the two countries, which stood at USD 23.46 million in 2022-2023. He welcomed the upcoming Pak-Tajik Business-to-Business forum as an opportunity to explore untapped potential and strengthen economic ties.
Both delegations expressed confidence in the outcomes of the Joint Commission meeting. They affirmed their resolve to implement agreed-upon actions and deepen their strategic partnership, paving the way for a future of shared prosperity and regional integration.
