RAWALPINDI: Tajik Ambassador Sherali S. Jononov on Friday offered electricity to Pakistan and also expressed desire to increase the trade volume between the two countries.

“Rogun Dam in Tajikistan has begun its operations and we are ready to provide cheap and clean electricity to Pakistan to meet its energy needs in future,” he stated this during his visit to Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry offices.

“Pakistan trade and business community should come forward and take benefit of the emerging opportunities in Tajikistan,” he said.

The RCCI organised a farewell ceremony for the outgoing Ambassador of Tajikistan, Sherali S. Jononov.

RCCI President Malik Shahid Saleem and other office bearers were present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony,Tajikenvoy said that Pakistan and Tajikistan relations had historical, cultural and religious background and the roots of their relation are very deep. Both countries are enjoying friendly and cordial relationship.

Refreshing key memories of his tenure comprising six years, Tajik envoy said: “I have found Pakistan, a peaceful, positive and wonderful country and people of Pakistan are very hardworking, loving and full of hospitality. You can only know Pakistanis once you live in Pakistan.

“I always advise to my diplomatic friends to visit Pakistan, it’s an amazing country, and have beautiful weather and landscape,” he said.

He also shared information on key success stories during his tenure, including, Economic Corporation Organization (ECO) summit, visit of Pakistan President to Tajikistan in June 2018, frequent visits to at foreign office, Central Asia South Asia (CASA 1000) energy project etc.

Tajikenvoy appreciated RCCI’s role in promoting trade activities through exhibitions and exchange of delegations and urged others chambers to follow in the footsteps of RCCI.

Earlier, RCCI President Malik Shahid Saleem lauded envoy’s contribution to branding Pakistan’s positive image and increase relationships between two countries and at chamber of commerce level.

He expressed the hope that CASA1000 MW energy project will help Pakistan to meet its energy requirement.

He said tourism between the two countries could play a vital role here and urged for direct flights between Dushanbe and Islamabad.

In the end, a memento and a picture album were presented to theTajikenvoy.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2019