ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Tajikistan today decided to move ahead with important economic and energy projects, including the stalled CASA-1000 power project.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon decided this in Islamabad on Wednesday while signing many bilateral agreements in multiple sectors, including mutual cooperation in energy sector.
Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, who is in Islamabad on a two-day visit, held a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif to discuss mutual cooperation.
Both the leaders addressed a joint press conference to highlight their discussions and agreements.
Premier Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the Tajik President on his visit to Pakistan.
He said, “The people of Pakistan are happy with the visit of the Tajik President, his visit to Pakistan is a matter of pride for us.”
PM Shehbaz further said that Pakistan and Tajikistan have long-standing relations and Tajikistan is Pakistan’s closest neighbor in Central Asia.
“Pakistan wants early completion of the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) power project to fulfill its growing energy requirements,” PM said.
PM Shehbaz said, “Pakistan wants to promote energy, rail and road connectivity with the Central Asian Republics (CARs) for theprosperity of the entire region.
Meanwhile, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rehmon said that Dushanbe gives special importance to its ties with Pakistan.
“Pakistan and Tajikistan are one and the same,” he remarked, adding that both countries shared commonalities which have served to further strengthen their ties.
He further said that Tajikistan and Pakistan are now working for the early completion of $1.16 billion CASA-1000 energy project. He said that both the countries are also dealing with mutual challenges such as terrorism and working for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
