ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Tahir Iqbal has said that strong cultural and social ties existed between Pakistan and Tajikistan which would be further strengthened and utilised for enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade and commerce.

He was talking to Ambassador of Tajikistan Said Beg Saidbeg Saidov who called on him here on Thursday.

The meeting was held to discuss arrangements for the International Shah Hamadan Conference which would be jointly organized by Tajikistan and Pakistan this year as the great Sufi Shah Hamadan was equally famous for his spiritual influences in both countries.

The minister said that intellectual events should be organized with full vigour and spirit as these were essential for forging unity in the Ummah and disseminating the messages of peace and fraternity.