ISLAMABAD, Dec 15: An agreement to import 1,000MW of electricity is likely to be signed at a joint ministerial conference with Tajikistan in February.

A Canadian engineering and consulting firm, SNC-Lavalin, hired by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, has submitted the feasibility report of the Central Asia-South Asia 1000 (Casa-1000) project to both governments and the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) is reviewing it.

At a meeting held to finalise the schedule of the joint ministerial commission to be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's Ambassador Zubaydullo N. Zubaydov and Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf, who heads the Pakistani side at the commission, agreed to gear up the project.

The two sides decided to prepare a strategy to complete the project within the shortest possible time.

They discussed a schedule for a trilateral trade agreement along with Afghanistan on the power project and proposed a direct road link between Pakistan and Tajikistan via Wakhan.

They agreed on a tentative schedule for a visit to Pakistan by the Tajik president in March next year. Steps to enhance bilateral economic ties were also discussed.

The minister for water and power said Pakistan's technical experts would submit their comments on the electricity supply project feasibility report at the commission meeting.It was decided that preparatory meetings should be held shortly before the meeting to prepare a plan to implement the project.

The minister said direct flights between Islamabad and Dushanbe would begin soon and the required formalities had been completed in both countries. He said work on a direct road link through Wakhan should be started at the earliest to enhance trade and cultural ties.

Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan have agreed to set up a company to lay a 750km high-voltage transmission line across Afghanistan at an estimated cost of $700 million.

The four countries have been pursuing the development of a Central Asia-South Asia regional electricity market for over five years.

The ADB, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation, the Islamic Development Bank and the World Bank have shown willingness to finance the project.