Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in one-on-one meeting withe the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe on June 17, 2014. PHOTO: PID
Nawaz, who was on a two day visit to Tajikistan on the invitation on Tajik President, was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising, the Minister for Water & Power, Minister for Textile Industry, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, and senior officials.
Later in a joint statement, they affirmed their desire to increase bilateral security and defence cooperation, with Pakistan committing to provide assistance in developing Tajikistan's defence capability. Pakistan would also provide training to the Tajik armed forces and security personnel.
During the meeting the two leaders agreed to set a target of expanding bilateral trade to US $500 million over the next three years and to work towards a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
The two sides further agreed to convene the 5th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad during 2014 in order to promote a favorable environment for investors from both countries. They also agreed to establish a Joint Business Council (JBC).
Underscoring the need for strengthening transit and transportation facilities and enhanced cooperation at the regional level, both sides noted that early finalisation of the Trilateral Transit Trade Agreement among Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan would provide a boost to trade and economic relations. It was further noted that direct road links would impart more impetus to these efforts.
Pakistan also undertook to provide easy access to Tajikistan to goods via its seaports in Karachi and Gwadar.
Deliberating on regional and international issues, Nawaz and Rahmon affirmed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would strengthen the prospects for regional peace and stability and expressed their support for an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. They also reiterated their commitment to utilize the Quadrilateral forums to reinforce efforts in support of peace, security and stability in the region.
In the presence of the two leaders, the following agreements and MoUs were signed:
I. Agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Formation of a Joint Working Group Combating the International Terrorism;
II. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan through the Ministry of Textile Industry and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan through the Ministry of Industries & New Technologies on Collaboration in Textiles Development;
III. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Vocational Training between the Government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan;
IV. Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Libraries, Capital Administration & Development Division, Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the National Library of Tajikistan; and
V. Memorandum of Understanding between Tajik National University, Dushanbe and National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan.
COMMENTS (6)
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@Patriot. N: Creating trade, employment and improving energy is hardly irrelevant. Think about the agreements and projects started by this government in hardly one year. Musharraf travelled much more in his decade long dictatorship and couldn't build anything. Zardari had 5 years of rule in which he also traveled extensively but achieved little. If anything these foreign trips are building relationships and creating trade that will benefit the economy. Maybe you need to read more reports from Western investment analysts which speak positively about the governments pro economy plans.
@Zaid Hamid Lal Topi Wala.: Relax .
Thanks to the strategic assets farmed by military up to mysharraf years , we have been living with the blowback for some time now. It doesn't mean we shouldn't go about our normal routine. NS has sent the right message by continuing with state business .
So according to comments above Pakistan doesn't need electricity ?
Nawaz Sharif is spending 33 lacs(3.3 million) tax payers money per day...I repeat per day, on these utterly, totally, absolutely useless trips to these foreign countries. First thing first, there is a war going on in the tribal region in the country, the law an order is worsening, the government has became totally irrelevant, and good for nothing, and the rich prime minister of poor country is spending precious tax payers money on foreign tours. This is downright deplorable and shameful.
Which Sharif family member was there... Ought to be one if they were talking trade!
"expanding bilateral trade to US $500 million over the next three years "
$500 is huge amount over 3 year period people. Lets celebrate such huge MoU. It is worth THE TRIP during open war.