Dharshini RDA 
An important milestone at the seventh meeting of the Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission, held here on Wednesday, was the signing of two historic MoUs and protocols.
The commission meeting, co-chaired by Federal Minister of Energy Division Sardar Awais Leghari and Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources Jum’a Daler Shofaqir, was hosted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The first memorandum of understanding establishes a historic partnership between the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Tajik province of Khatlon, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and mutual development.
The second MoU seals an exciting collaboration between the football federations of Pakistan and Tajikistan, which should improve the sporting landscape in both countries.
On 13 December 2024, a business-to-business forum was held for businessmen from both countries to strengthen business-to-business ties.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Awais Leghari said that Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Tajikistan’s independence in 1991.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, energy, agriculture, education and industry, where both countries have significant comparative advantages.
He underlined the importance of developing an action plan to boost trade, remove barriers and establish a joint coordination committee on transit trade within the framework of the Tajik-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement.
Owais Leghari also stressed the strategic importance of Pakistan’s location at the crossroads of Central and West Asia, which offers ideal opportunities for Tajik investment and facilitates trade corridors under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) programme.
The Tajik Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Jum’a Daler Shofaqir, acknowledged the strong historical ties between the two nations, based on shared values, cultural heritage and a common vision of regional prosperity.
Minister Shofaqir appreciated and acknowledged the significant progress made in bilateral relations since then. He looked forward to the early completion of the CASA-1000 energy project, which will greatly benefit both countries..
At the same time, Sardar Awais Leghari and Jum’a Daler Shofaqir also held a face-to-face meeting to work out a strategy for boosting economic cooperation and resolving trade issues, underlining the two nations’ commitment to strengthening their bilateral relationship and opening up new avenues for growth and prosperity.
