Dushanbe: Pakistan and Tajikistan have expressed their determination to elevate the strategic cooperation to a new level for the mutual benefit of their countries and peoples. This resolve was articulated in a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe.
According to Radio Pakistan, the meeting involved in-depth discussions on various aspects of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. The leaders recalled the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement during the Prime Minister's visit to Dushanbe in July last year, which established a strong foundation for enhancing bilateral relations and advancing shared interests.
The discussion reviewed cooperation across multiple areas, including political, trade, economic, energy, defense, security, and regional connectivity. The leaders agreed to explore new avenues for cooperation, focusing on fostering investment, enhancing educational linkages, promoting cultural exchanges, advancing information technology collaboration, and strengthening people-to-people contacts.
On the CASA-1000 project, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to its positioning as a pivotal project for regional integration. The Prime Minister assured shared commitment to its early operationalization and welcomed the CASA-1000 Inter-Governmental Council meeting in Dushanbe on May 15, 2025.
The leaders acknowledged untapped potential in bilateral trade and emphasized the need to pursue new avenues of cooperation, following decisions made during the 7th Session of the Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, and Scientific Technical Cooperation held in Islamabad in December 2024. They also agreed to leverage existing frameworks, including twelve Joint Working Groups, to enhance collaboration, especially in oil, gas, and energy sectors.
The meeting also covered cooperation in defense and security, with an emphasis on counter-terrorism, combating cross-border organized crime, and human and drug trafficking. The Prime Minister and President exchanged perspectives on regional and global geopolitical developments, emphasizing the importance of working together to promote peace, stability, and economic development in the region.
The leaders expressed satisfaction with their cooperation at multilateral forums, including the UN, OIC, SCO, and ECO, and reaffirmed their resolve to continue collaboration on global and regional issues of common interest. The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan's commitment to strengthening connectivity with the Central Asian region, citing the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a crucial element.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed President Rahmon on the situation in the South Asian region, particularly concerning India's actions since May 7, which he described as acts of war and violations of the UN Charter and international law. He urged the international community to hold India accountable while reiterating Pakistan's desire for peace and readiness to defend its sovereignty.
President Emomali Rahmon expressed concern over the events of early May and emphasized his commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region. He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's leadership and reiterated Tajikistan's desire to intensify bilateral cooperation, identifying science and technology, agriculture, industry, hydro power generation, and tourism as key areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Tajikistan's leadership in Water Diplomacy and congratulated the President on the successful organization of international events, including the International High-Level Conference on Glaciers' Preservation in Dushanbe. The Prime Minister extended an invitation to President Rahmon for an official visit to Islamabad to continue their strategic dialogue.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif arrived in Dushanbe to participate in the International High-Level Conference on Glaciers' Preservation, accompanied by a high-level delegation. He was received by Tajikistan's Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda and welcomed by President Rahmon at Qasr-e-Millat.