Tajikistan set to supply cheap power to Pakistan

Envoy says CASA-1,000 power project is likely to be fully operational by 2020

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan is facing energy shortage and Tajikistan is set to supply inexpensive electricity to Islamabad in order to meet its potential energy needs, said Ambassador of Tajikistan Ismatullo Nasredin.

The envoy expressed these views while talking to Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Malik Shahid Saleem during his visit to the RCCI on Monday.

Electricity would be supplied to Pakistan under the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1,000) energy project, he added, highlighting that the CASA-1,000 power project is likely to be fully operational by 2020.

Tajikistan was ready to assist Pakistan and provide it with all the necessary support for development of bilateral economic and trade relations in different areas including hydropower, mining, pharmaceuticals, tourism, light industry, agriculture and construction, the ambassador said.

“Tajikistan attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan and there is a huge potential to transform very cordial political cooperation into economic and trade ties,” he added.

Nasredin pointed out that Pakistan and Tajikistan had a historical, cultural and religious background and the roots of their relations were very deep. He urged Pakistan’s trade and business communities to come forward and take benefit of the emerging opportunities.

Earlier, the RCCI president expressed hope that the CASA-1,000 energy project would help Pakistan meet its energy requirement.

He said that exchange of cultural, business and trade information, visa facilitation, exchange of trade delegations and business-to-business meetings can be a good source of boosting trade ties between the two countries.  Textile, mining, construction and pharmaceutical sector offer promising joint venture opportunities, he added.

Moreover, he said tourism between the two countries can also play a vital role and urged for direct flights between Dushanbe and Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2019.

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