ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan wanted establishment of energy, rail, and road connectivity with diverse energy resources-rich Central Asian Republics (CARs) for development and prosperity of entire region.

During joint press stakeout with President of Tajikistan Emamoli Rahmon, he said Pakistan desired early completion of Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) power project to meet its energy needs. He said Pakistan had been first country that established ties with Tajikistan some 31 years back. Since then, both countries had been enjoying excellent cordial and friendly ties.

Pakistan wants to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and ties in all fields including energy, trade, joint ventures in agriculture and food etc, he added. He said that they held very productive meetings to further strengthen bilateral relations and promote trade, investment and culture between people of two brotherly nations. Welcomed Tajik President and his delegation he said that people of Pakistan were overwhelmed with joy and pleasure over their visit.

President Rahmon, reciprocating warm feelings for government and people of Pakistan, said that his country attached high priority to its ties with country. He said both countries had been making joint efforts to further promote friendly ties and expressed optimism that MoUs signed would give new impetus to these relations.

He said during their delegation-level deliberations, they had discussed government-to-government level contacts, security, economic situation, global economic decay, energy and connectivity activities and linking of port city of Karachi.

He said they also had useful exchange of views on CASA-1000, cooperation in agriculture, energy connectivity, joint ventures in food technology, trade, science and technology and cooperation between business communities of two countries. He said that they also acknowledged significance of concerted global efforts for stable and peaceful Afghanistan, adding Tajikistan and Pakistan were also closely cooperating at global level including UN, Economic Cooperation Organisation, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and other multilateral forums.

Earlier, Tajik President and PM witnessed inking of number of MoUs and agreements to boost bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 15 2022

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