DUSHANBE, JUL 05 (DNA) – Pakistan and Tajikistan  agreed on  Wednesday on the need of exploring new avenues of cooperation with a particular focus on expanding cooperation in trade and economy,  agriculture and education sectors besides improving business to business and people to people ties.

The Prime Minister who is here on a two-day official visit met his Tajik counterpart Qohir Rasulzoda here at the State Guest House and discussed a whole range of bilateral issues.

 Accompanied by a high-level delegation including his Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Minister of Commerce Engr.

Khurram Dastgir and Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Prime Minister Sharif said both the sides were committed to further strengthening their relationship in diverse spheres so as to build into a multi dimensional partnership.

He said there was a tremendous potential to boost trade and economic cooperation. The two leaders noted the improvement in bilateral trade and called for identifying the weak areas and to take necessary measures to address these issues.

They pointed the need to determine new traditional and non-traditional trading goods and services. In this regard they directed the Joint Ministerial Commission to formulate a comprehensive framework. Both the sides also agreed on the need to holding exhibitions to promote their products.

Prime Minister Qohir welcomed Pakistan’s inclusion into the SCO and hoped it would be beneficial for the security of the entire region.

He also pointed to the holding of the Joint Commission on Energy and Infrastructure  on the sidelines of his visit.

Both the leaders expressed the belief that early completion of the CASA 1000 and its completion by 2018 would be beneficial for the people of the region.

Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s offer to utilise its ports and connectivity with the rest of the world to boost Tajik exports to the rest of the world. He said Gwadar was the gateway to other Central Asian countries and beyond.

They also noted the need of resumption of flights between the two countries to boost people to people and business to business contacts.=DNA

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