CASA-1,000: Project to start functioning by 2020

Tajikistan envoy says electricity will be provided to Pakistan at cheap prices

RAWALPINDI: The Rogun Dam has begun operations and Tajikistan is ready to provide cheap and clean electricity to Pakistan to meet its future energy needs, said Tajikistan Ambassador Sherali S Jononov.

During his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Tuesday, Jononov said Tajikistan was well aware of the energy needs of Pakistan and electricity would be provided to Pakistan under the Central Asia-South Asia (Casa 1,000) energy project.

He pointed out that based on the schedule, the Casa-1,000 power project should be fully operational by 2020.

“Pakistan is now emerging on the globe and its importance has increased under the CPEC. Central Asian countries including Tajikistan now have the shortest access to sea via Gwadar Port,” the envoy said.

He asked Pakistan’s trade and business community to come forward and take benefit of the emerging opportunities. “We understand banking and transportation issues,” he said, adding that tariff rates would be rationalised for better cooperation and bilateral trade activities.

Speaking on the occasion, RCCI President Malik Shahid Saleem said Pakistan’s economy was taking a leap and voiced hope that the Casa-1,000 energy project would help Islamabad meet its energy requirement.

He underlined the need for exchange of trade delegations by chambers of both sides and said tourism between the two countries could play a vital role. He called for starting direct flights between Dushanbe and Islamabad.

The RCCI president apprised the envoy of the current and upcoming activities of the chamber.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2018.

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