14 September 2004	Tuesday	28 Rajab 1425

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

DUSHANBE, Sept 13: Pakistan and Tajikistan on Monday reaffirmed a mutual desire to enhance trade and economic ties as Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz held cordial and constructive meetings with the Tajik leaders on a broad range of subjects.

Prime Minister Aziz told newsmen after meetings with Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmonov and his Tajik counterpart Aqilov Aqil Ghayduloyezich that both countries had a firm desire to establish communications link.

"We will carry out a survey for a road link with Tajikistan and the Tajik leaders are excited and have expressed their support for this idea," he said. Mr Aziz, who met President Rahmonov for over an hour on the eve of Economic Cooperation Organization (Eco) summit, said it had been decided that Pakistan would open a branch of Habib Bank in Tajikistan.

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, whose delegation is also in Dushanbe, will set up an export display centre in the Tajik capital. The governor of Tajikistan's central bank also attended the meeting.

The prime minister said the Gwadar port could serve as transit for Tajikistan's trade with the Gulf and other countries. Mr Rahmonov informed Mr Aziz that Tajikistan would upgrade its diplomatic representation in Islamabad to ambassadorial level.

The joint economic commission of the two countries will meet shortly as part of their commitment to boost trade and economic ties. Prime Minister Aziz briefed the Tajik president about Pakistan-India relations in the context of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and confidence building measures.

"Kashmir is the core issue and we want to resolve it peacefully," he said. Pakistan, he said, wanted peace but there should be forward movement on the Kashmir issue. Mr Aziz expressed the hope that the composite dialogue process with India would have a positive outcome. The leaders exchanged views on strengthening Eco. -APP