PM to leave for Tajikistan on two-day visit tomorrow

FO says premier will attend 20th SCO session; inaugurate first session of Pakistan-Tajikistan Business Forum

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan will be leaving on a two-day visit to Tajikistan tomorrow, the Foreign Office (FO) informed on Wednesday.

According to FO spokesperson Asim Iftikhar, the premier will be visiting the country on the invitation of Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon. He will be accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation.

During his visit, PM Imran will attend the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of State (SCO-CHS) Summit in Dushanbe, he added.

"The premier has earlier participated in SCO-CHS held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic on 13-14 June 2019 and SCO-CHS hosted by Russia on 10 November 2020 through video-conference," Iftikhar said.

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He further said that the PM will later have the bilateral segment of his visit in which he will hold meetings with other participating leaders.

"His talks with Tajik President will cover the entire gamut of bilateral relations, especially enhancing trade, economic and investment ties with a particular focus on regional connectivity. The two countries have earlier expressed strong commitment to enter into a formal strategic partnership," the FO stated.

He added that the PM will also inaugurate the first session of the Pakistan-Tajikistan Business Forum. According to the spokesperson, a delegation of Pakistani businessmen will also embark on a visit to the country's capital of Dushanbe," the spokesperson added.

"The Joint Business Forum will catalyze growing trade and investment relations and promote business to business contacts between the trading communities of both sides. A meeting of Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Business Council will also be held on the sidelines. Pakistan and Tajikistan enjoy close brotherly relations underpinned by the bonds of common faith, history and culture," he maintained.

Iftikhar added that this will be the third visit of the prime minister to Central Asia, underlining Pakistan’s enhanced engagement with the region.

"The Prime Minister’s visit is part of Pakistan’s deepened engagement with Central Asia through ‘Vision Central Asia’ policy, having revitalised focus in five key areas of political ties, trade and investment, energy and connectivity, security and defence, and people-to-people contacts," he said.

"The two countries have shared perceptions and a common desire to promote economic development, peace, security and stability in the region," the spokesperson maintained.

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According to the communique, the SCO is an eight-member permanent inter-governmental trans-regional organisation. It was established in Shanghai on June 15, 2001.

Pakistan became an SCO Observer in 2005 and a full member in June 2017 during Astana SCO-CHS Summit.

Russia, China, India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan are the other SCO members.

The SCO also has four Observer states (Iran, Mongolia, Belarus and Afghanistan) and six Dialogue Partners (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka).