Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon have vowed to complete the CASA 1000 project as early as possible to enable Pakistan import 1,000 megawatt of electricity to address growing energy crisis in the country. The prime minister is also looking to explore further avenues of co-operation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, education, science, culture, energy, transport and defence sectors with Tajikistan. The two countries have decided to hold the meeting of the Joint Commission on Energy and Infrastructure twice a year to explore the possibilities of mutually beneficial co-operation in the fields of energy and infrastructure. The commission was established in June 2014.
Pakistan needs new markets for the exports of goods and services; therefore, there is a need to enhance connectivity with Tajikistan by air, road and rail for the promotion of our economic relations, people-to-people contacts and tourism. The two sides have agreed to strengthen economic co-operation by utilising the existing institutional mechanisms, especially through the Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Ministerial Commission. Tajikistan is a double landlocked country but is situated at the confluence of South and Central Asia, and is a gateway to the region and Pakistan offers the shortest possible route to the sea to countries in the region through its ports. It is noted that bilateral trade between the two countries has grown significantly in recent years and there is a need to sustain it and increase it further.
However, socio-economic development in the region is necessary to eliminate the scourge of terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking, which poses threat to regional and global security. Though the two countries are interacting closely in various fields and reinforcing efforts for closer ties, there is a need to enhance people to people and business contacts. The Pakistan China Economic Corridor is a mega project and Tajikistan can enhance its connectivity with the world by establish a linkage with the corridor and avail the facility of Gwadar Port. Gone are the days when countries used to survive in isolation, but now economy matters and trade relations are important than political relations. As Tajikistan is a double landlocked country, it will be better for it to establish road links with Pakistan through Afghanistan. If Tajikistan is a gateway to Central Asia, Pakistan is a gateway to the whole world. The government should give special incentives to the Tajik businessmen to establish industries in Pakistan. Rather special economic zones should be established for each country which is willing to invest in Pakistan.
