Cooperation in energy sector to energise Pak-Tajikistan relations

[Salman]

Cooperation in energy sector to energise Pak-Tajikistan relations



ISLAMABAD: Tajikistan has huge hydel power potential therefore Pakistan and Tajikistan could cooperate in this area to further enhance their bilateral relations.

Gononov S Sherali Ambassador of Tajikistan in Pakistan at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) said Tajikistan was keen to establish direct air-link between Islamabad and Dushanbe, which would bring people of the two countries closer to each other.

He said Tajik Air flights on Dushanbe-Islamabad-Dubai would pave the way for increasing tourist traffic and promoting greater people to people contacts as well as he informed the meeting that Qatar Airline was also interested to establish Doha-Dushanbe-Islamabad air link which would also create direct air link between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Mr Gononov said Pakistani cement and textile have great demand in Tajikistan, adding both the countries could initiate joint ventures in the areas of mutual interests, which would open new avenues of cooperation.

Zafar Bakhtawari President ICCI said there should be direct air link between Pakistan and all Central Asian Republic States as well as all these countries should support each other in promoting regional connectivity through starting at least two of their flights in a week which would help businessmen in visiting each other’s country and exploring new areas of commercial linkages.

He said both the sides should ensure liberal visa policy to enable the businessmen get visa easily and meet each other which was imperative to boost trade ties between the two countries as there was enough potential in various fields between the two countries to increase trade.

He underscored the need for a road link between Pakistan and Tajikistan through the Lowari Tunnel for connecting Chitral and Tajikistan.

The road link will help increasing the trade volume and would benefit the local industries and the population.