Tajikistan’s Prime Minister Qohir Rasoulzoda on October 15 held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in Islamabad on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG).
Pakistani media reports say that while deeply appreciating Tajikistan’s active and constructive participation in the SCO CHG Meeting, the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that as brotherly countries and regional partners, Tajikistan and Pakistan share enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation.
PTV’s website says Pakistani Prime Minister fondly recalled his productive visit to Dushanbe in July, earlier this year, and expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of the bilateral relationship. He reportedly underscored that both countries should continue to collaborate closely and further cement the mutually advantageous cooperation across all spheres of shared interest, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, energy and regional connectivity.
For his part, Tajik Prime Minister Rasoulzoda reportedly conveyed warm felicitations on organizing the SCO CHG Meeting by Pakistan, in its capacity as the SCO Chair. He thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and the SCO delegates. While extending best wishes of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon to the Prime Minister, he concurred that there was great potential to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries underscoring that Tajikistan remained fully committed to work with Pakistan.
Furthermore, Tajik Prime Minister reportedly thanked the Prime Minister and the Government of Pakistan for allowing sugar export to Tajikistan as this will further enhance the bilateral trade among both countries.
The Express Tribune reports that during the meeting with Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasoulzoda, PM Shehbaz Sharif stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral collaboration across all spheres of shared interest, including trade, investment, energy, and regional connectivity.
He praised Tajikistan’s active participation in the SCO meeting and fondly recalled his productive visit to Dushanbe in July, 2023.
On his X timeline, PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed his satisfaction with the positive trajectory of the relationship between the two countries and reaffirmed the commitment to strengthening ties.
The Associated Press Pakistan (APP) reports that Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Yusuf Sharifzoda, said on Wednesday that Tajikistan and Pakistan are important members of the SCO, whose geographical proximity is important for the economic and trade integration between the SCO countries and there is coordination between the two countries in this regard,
Tajik envoy reportedly said that Qohir Rasoulzoda and Shehbaz Sharif negotiated for close bilateral collaboration to achieve cooperation across all spheres of shared interest.
He said that both of the leaders called for promotion of bilateral ties in the areas of trade, investment, energy and regional connectivity, according to APP.
Tajikistan is Pakistan’s closest neighbor in Central Asia. A narrow strip of Wakhan Corridor separates the two countries. Relations between the two states were established when Tajikistan became independent following the collapse of the USSR. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Tajikistan’s independence and to establish diplomatic relations with it (6 June, 1992). Trade and cooperation has steadily grown between the two nations, with several summits being held on how to improve bilateral trade.
