Wahkhan corridor may boost Pak-Tajik trade

Posted on 9 months ago

ISLAMABAD (Online): Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, on Friday said that enhanced communication through Wahkhan corridor could boost trade relations and people to people contacts of Pakistan and Tajikistan.
While talking to Tajik ambassador Zulbaydullo N. Zubaydov, he said that Pakistan highly valued relations with Tajikistan which were rooted in shared religion, culture and history.
Talking about regional connectivity and increasing cooperation between regional countries, the Chairman said that world is heading towards regionalism as countries of region have shared interests.
He emphasized the need for more close cooperation in various fields particularly enhancing trade and economic relations between the two countries.
The Chairman told that increasing communication linkage by having road through Wahkhan border can not only assist in trade between both the countries but also increase more frequent people to people contacts.
Pakistan can export its surplus food, wheat, rice, fine quality mangoes, citrus fruits and textile goods to Tajikistan, he added.
The Tajik Ambassador told the Chairman that Tajik President will be visiting Pakistan soon along with some Parliamentary and other delegates. There will also be quartet meeting (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Russia) in Dushanbe in October to explore more avenues of cooperation in the region.
Talking about increasing trade volume he agreed with the Chairman that it should be increased via more road linkages through Wahkhan corridor and Thorkham.
Tajik Ambassador also offered 1000 MW electricity transmission line from Tajikistan to Pakistan in order to help resolving its energy crisis.
Ambassador Zubaydullo told the Chairman that Parliamentary contacts between the two countries are not proactive and as inter parliamentary relations between the two countries can provide a bed rock for building our bilateral relations further and hence there is dire need to focus on them. He also emphasized the need for more frequent people to people contacts through exchange of parliamentary, business, trade and cultural delegations.
The Chairman appreciated Tajikistan’s offer for 1000 MW electricity supply line. Referring to enhancing inter parliamentary relations the Chairman said that Pakistan-Tajikistan Parliamentary friendship group can be formed which can play vital role for building our ties in this capacity.

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