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On 14 December, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed enhanced bilateral and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Tajikistan in a press conference alongside Tajik President Emomali Rahman. This comes as Rahman is on a two-day visit to Pakistan and met PM Shehbaz in a “one-on-one” meeting. The two leaders signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan needs to “work very closely” with Tajikistan to reinforce their economic cooperation in industry building, agriculture, joint ventures and energy cooperation. He also said that Tajikistan held a “key position” in Pakistan’s foreign policy and that the country is a “gateway” to Central Asia.
PM Shehbaz’s call for improved efforts, Rahman’s ‘commonality’ with Pakistan
PM Shehbaz mentioned that he was intending on working “closely” with Rahmon and that the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) project would be completed “as early as possible.” He laid that the project would be detrimental to the establishment of rail, road and energy connectivity with the Central Asian countries. He also hoped that Rahman’s visit would bring a “new era” of cooperation and development between the two countries. While PM Shehbaz emphasised the Tajik leadership and laid that the discussions were “productive and useful” for both sides, he also said that the talks were primarily focused on promoting investment and improving trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
He said that Pakistan was the first country to establish ties with Tajikistan in the last 31 years and that the countries were “enjoying excellent cordial and friendly ties.” President Rahmon resounded PM Shehbaz’s claims and said that Tajikistan attached a “high priority” to its ties with Pakistan and that the “optimism” of the MoUs signings would provide a “new impetus” to these relations. He said that their deliberations had involved government-to-government level contacts, security, economic stability, global economic downturn, energy and connectivity activities and linking the port city of Karachi with Tajikistan more closely.
Rahmon reiterated PM Shehbaz’s views on the CASA-1000 and cooperation in technology, trade, science and technology and said that the two countries shared “commonalities” with each other which complemented their discussions for strengthening ties between the two countries. Additionally, Rahmon also said that the two leaders “acknowledged” the concerted efforts of their countries in the UN, Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SC) and other multilateral forums. (“PM Shehbaz calls for enhancing economic, bilateral ties with Tajikistan,” Dawn, 14 December 2022, “Pakistan wants establishment of energy, road connectivity with CARs: PM Shehbaz,” Business Recorder, 14 December 2022, “PM underscores need for early completion of CASA-1000,” Business Recorder, 15 December 2022)
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