TAXILA: Ambassador of Tajikistan Sherali Jononov on Saturday said his country was keen to further expand relations with Pakistan, especially in the energy sector to address Pakistan’s power crisis.

Talking to newsmen here, he said completion of the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA) 1,000 energy project would certainly help Pakistan overcome its energy issues. He said the project was in the final stages of completion and once completed would adequately address energy-related needs of Pakistan.

The envoy said CASA-1000 was a landmark project which would provide 1,000 megawatts to Pakistan.

Pakistan and Tajikistan are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and responsible for bringing peace and stability in the region.

He said CPEC was a very important project for regional peace and stability, adding there was a need for a comprehensive plan for the countries of the region to have clarity and knowledge about the potentials and ways for investment and collaboration in CPEC.

Responding a question, the ambassador said the entire world recognised the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan to promote peace and stability in the region. To promote cooperation in bilateral trade, increase the trade volume and enhance people-to-people contact, direct flights between the two countries is also essential. He said his country was keen to open direct flights between Pakistan and Tajikistan but was waiting for a green signal from the concerned authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

He said there was a huge scope for cooperation, especially in trade and commerce, with Pakistan. The envoy said Central Asia had huge business prospects and Pakistani businessmen should explore the avenues.

In reply to another question, he said Central Asian states were closely working with Pakistan on transit, transport and energy corridors. He said CASA power import project involving Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan had entered the implementation phase. He said future of all mega projects, including CASA 1000 and TAPI, depended on the security and stability of the region, especially in Afghanistan.

The envoy said Pakistan and Tajikistan enjoyed historical. He said poets of Pakistan, especially Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Allama Iqbal, were very popular in his country. The poetry of Faiz has been formulated in the Tajik language and will also be published very soon. More than 200 verses of Allama Iqbal have been composed and performed by artists of Tajikistan, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2018