DUSHANBE, March 16, 2016, Asia-Plus – As part of his official visit to Pakistan, Shukurjon Zuhurov, the head of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament, who visits Pakistan at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Sardar Ayaz Sadiq yesterday hold talks in Islamabad with heads of both houses of Pakistani parliament, Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for the Majlisi Namoyandagon, told Asia-Plus in an interview.
According to him, Zuhurov and the Speaker of the National Assembly (Pakistan’s lower chamber of parliament) Sardar Ayaz Sadiq discussed state and prospects of further expansion of parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.
They also exchanged views on agreements reached between Dushanbe and Islamabad, including construction of regional power transmission line from Central Asia to South Asia (CASA 1000) and construction of a power transmission line from Tajikistan to Pakistan via Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan.
Zuhurov and the Chairman of the Senate (Pakistan’s upper chamber of parliament) Razza Rabbani discussed bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan in the fields of energy, transportation, trade, and cargo transit services, Sultonov said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Assembly reports that the National Assembly Speaker has said during a meeting with his Tajik counterpart that Pakistan and Tajikistan have entered a new era of unparalleled cooperation. Referring to the robust historical relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan, he highlighted that Pakistan attaches paramount importance to its cultural and economic ties with Tajikistan.
The Speaker reportedly outlined that Pakistan-Tajikistan cooperation derives its strength from geopolitical realities, economic interests and cultural affinities. He remarked that cooperation between the two friendly countries is highly imperative for tackling regional security and economic challenges.
Ayaz Sadiq added that Pakistan-Tajikistan cooperation with other regional countries is central to international endeavors for a peaceful Afghanistan. Referring to the recent Pakistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan Trilateral Transit Trade Agreement (PATTTTA), the Speaker remarked that this initiative will open new doors of cooperation between the three countries. The Speaker added that Pakistan is committed to deepen cooperation with Tajikistan on various bilateral and multilateral forums including Economic Cooperation Organization and Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The Speaker underlined the need for facilitating Central Asia and South Asia (CASA) electricity transmission projects. He further emphasized that Parliamentary diplomacy between Tajikistan and Pakistan should be given a new fillip through regular exchanges of delegations and diversification of bilateral relations. The Speaker also informed the dignitary regarding Pakistan’s commitment towards attaining sustainable goals with establishment of a dedicated secretariat in Parliament House for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Solar power project initiative that enabled Pakistan’s Parliament as first in the world to go green.
For his part, Shukurjon Zuhurov reportedly congratulated the Speaker for enabling Pakistan’s Parliament as first in the world to go green.
Zuhurov remarked that Tajikistan aspires to foster stronger inter-Parliamentary cooperation with Pakistan.
He stressed on the need for facilitating people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges as part of Pakistan-Tajikistan friendship initiatives. Later on, Zuhurov visited the Green Parliament Solar Power Project and signed the visitor’s book along with his comments.
Chairman of Tajikistan’s lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament, Shukurjon Zuhurov is paying an official visit to Pakistan from March 14-18 and deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon Azizmuhammad Kholmuhammadzoda, Jamshed Murtazoqulov, Nasiba Sodiqova and Mirzoanvar Ahmadov are accompanying him on his trip to Pakistan.
