Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission: MoUs and Protocols Signed to Boost Bilateral Ties

Pakistan and Tajikistan signed two critical Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the seventh session of the Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission. The meeting was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Power Division, Sardar Awais Leghari, and Tajikistan’s Minister for Energy and Water Resources, Jum’a Daler Shofaqir.

Pioneering Agreements

The signed MoUs aim to deepen cooperation in diverse sectors:

• Regional Development: A strategic partnership was forged between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and Tajikistan’s Khatlon province, opening doors for collaboration in regional development.
• Sports Collaboration: The second MoU connects the football federations of both countries, aiming to enhance the sports culture and talent development.

The session also set the stage for a business-to-business (B2B) forum on December 13, where entrepreneurs from both countries will explore new trade opportunities.

Sardar Awais Leghari highlighted Pakistan’s pivotal role as one of the first nations to recognize Tajikistan’s independence in 1991. Stressing the longstanding cultural and religious ties, he outlined areas ripe for cooperation, including trade, energy, education, and industry.

He also emphasized the swift completion of the CASA-1000 energy project, which promises significant energy security benefits. “Pakistan’s geographical position as a bridge between Central and West Asia offers unique opportunities for Tajik investments,” Leghari added.

Jum’a Daler Shofaqir, Tajikistan’s Energy Minister, lauded the progress made in bilateral relations and underscored the shared vision for economic growth. He reiterated Tajikistan’s interest in strengthening ties in energy, trade, agriculture, and education, while also calling for greater collaboration in cultural and tourism exchanges.

With bilateral trade recorded at just USD 23.46 million in 2022-2023, Secretary of Economic Affairs, Dr. Kazim Niaz, stressed the need to unlock further potential. He acknowledged the progress achieved by the Joint Working Groups on trade, transport, and energy, expressing optimism for expanded collaboration.

The Commission’s discussions culminated in a commitment to fostering mutual growth through concrete measures, including Reducing trade barriers, Enhancing transit trade mechanisms and Promoting investment opportunities.