ISLAMABAD, NOV 09 (DNA) – President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on November 11 on a very important Pakistan visit. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself will receive the Tajik president.A number of agreements are to be signed between the two sides in the fields of defence, economy, energy as well as security issues. Both countries share common views with regard to regional peace and security and have been cooperating with each other on this particular issue.
Tajikistan is an energy-rich country and is exporting energy to a number of countries. With Pakistan too Tajikistan is keen to work closely to help Pakistan overcome its energy needs.
CASA 1000 project, which is in the final stages, will cater to energy needs of Pakistan once completed. This project is likely to be completed by 2018. Much of work on this project has already been completed.
Analysts say, energy projects with Tajikistan are very viable and cost-effective also therefore Pakistan must peruse all such projects earnestly. They also believe Tajikistan is a vibrant country, whose economy is growing by leaps and bounds. Therefore, close relations with Tajikistan would certainly benefit Pakistan in many ways. Likewise, Pakistan too has a lot to offer to Tajikistan.
Terrorism and security issues of course will top the agenda. Pakistan has been fighting war against terrorism since long. Tajikistan especially recognizes Pakistan’s role in war against terrorism and genuinely wants to help Pakistan effectively deal with the issue. Leaderships of both countries happen to be on the same page when it comes to regional peace and security.
Security analysts are of the view a transit trade among various regional countries such as Pakistan, Tajikistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kirghizstan will be of a great importance for the region. Both Tajikistan and Pakistan leaders are likely to discuss possibilities of this landmark cooperation also.
The Tajik president will be accompanied key ministers of the Tajik cabinet. Similarly, a high level business delegation is also coming to Pakistan in order to explore various business opportunities. The business delegations of both countries will exchange views as to how to promote and strengthen business links between the two countries.
Leaders of both countries will discuss defence cooperation also. Pakistan over the years has increased its capability in defence production and manufacturing state of the art weaponry. Many countries have shown interest in Pakistani defence related products. During Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is last visit to Tajikistan it was agreed that Pakistan will help strengthen Tajikistan’s defence capability.
Pakistan and Tajikistan share religious and cultural values also. The people to people contacts between the two countries have grown immensely during past years. Both countries have a commitment and resolve to further cement these relations.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recent visits to Tajikistan have also contributed greatly towards strengthening of bilateral relations. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was given a red carpet welcome upon his visit to Dushanbe.
Both leaders resolved to enhance bilateral trade also to work for a preferential trade agreement. They also agreed to reinforce economic cooperation through existing and new institutional frameworks.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his visit to Tajikistan in June this year had extended the invitation to the Tajik president to visit Pakistan.
According to Foreign Office statement issued on Monday, President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon will visit Pakistan on 12-13 November, 2015. 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 would also accompany the President.
In his two days stay in Islamabad, the Tajik President will meet the Prime Minister and President.
The visit of the Tajik President is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two brotherly countries. The visit is of greater 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.
CASA-1000, a project of regional energy cooperation among Tajikistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan, would be another major area of cooperation that would come under discussion.
Pakistan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the brotherly country of 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.=DNA
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