ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across key areas including politics, trade, energy, security, and regional connectivity during a high-level meeting in Dushanbe on Thursday.
The interaction took place on the sidelines of the International High-Level Conference on Glaciers Preservation (ICGP), where PM Shehbaz is representing Pakistan at the invitation of the Tajik government.
The two leaders discussed new pathways for collaboration, with a particular emphasis on boosting investments, cultural and educational exchanges, and advancing partnerships in information technology. They also agreed to promote closer people-to-people contacts as a long-term strategy for strengthening ties.
Strategic Projects and Economic Partnership
The meeting recalled the significance of the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in July 2024 during PM Shehbaz’s previous visit to Tajikistan — an accord both sides regard as the foundation for a robust bilateral relationship.
The leaders expressed particular enthusiasm about the CASA-1000 energy project, agreeing to push for its swift operationalisation. PM Shehbaz lauded the recent CASA-1000 Inter-Governmental Council meeting held in Dushanbe as a step in the right direction.
Both leaders underlined the need to harness the full potential of trade and economic cooperation. Referring to the outcomes of the 7th session of the Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission held in Islamabad last December, they emphasized leveraging 12 active Joint Working Groups — especially in vital sectors such as oil, gas, and energy.
The leaders also acknowledged ongoing progress in defence and security ties, reiterating a mutual commitment to address regional threats like terrorism, organized crime, and human and drug trafficking through strengthened coordination and intelligence sharing.
Regional Diplomacy and Future Commitments
PM Shehbaz used the platform to brief President Rahmon on escalating tensions in South Asia, particularly condemning India’s actions since May 7, which he labeled as violations of international law and the UN Charter. He reaffirmed that peace in the region hinges on the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute per UN Security Council resolutions.
President Rahmon expressed deep concern over the developments in South Asia and praised Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership as pivotal for regional peace.
He reaffirmed Tajikistan’s intent to intensify cooperation with Pakistan in areas including hydropower, agriculture, industry, science, and tourism.
In a symbolic gesture of friendship, President Rahmon hosted a special reception in honour of PM Shehbaz and accepted an invitation to visit Islamabad officially.
On the sidelines, the Pakistani premier revealed Azerbaijan’s renewed commitment to invest $2 billion in Pakistan. Speaking to Azerbaijan TV, PM Shehbaz confirmed that President Ilham Aliyev’s offer spans multiple sectors and aligns with Pakistan’s strategic vision for economic revival and regional partnerships.
