Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood co-chaired the 5th Round of BilateralPolitical Consultations between Pakistan and Tajikistan with First DeputyMinister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan Khusrav Noziri invirtual mode today (Tuesday).
The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations inpolitical, security, economic and trade, science and technology, education,culture and connectivity as well as cooperation at international andregional fora.
Recognizing the significance of Tajikistan as a gateway to Central Asia,the Foreign Secretary expressed satisfaction at the growing pace of mutualcooperation over the past three decades.
He emphasized the importance of augmenting multi-dimensional bilateralcooperation within the framework of a strategic partnership for mutualpeace, progress and prosperity.
Expressing deep concern on the rising challenge of COVID-19 amid thirdwave, the Foreign Secretary stressed international cooperation andsolidarity to effectively combat challenges posed by the pandemic and toadopt joint measures.
The Foreign Secretary underscored the importance of holding regularpolitical dialogue as well as high-level and parliamentary interactions todeepen mutual cooperation and ensure regular follow-up.
Both sides agreed to fast track finalization of various bilateralagreements and MoUs in order to further institutionalize cooperation indiverse fields.
The Foreign Secretary emphasized the need to increase volume of bilateraltrade and investments through trade diversification, increasingbusiness-to-business contacts, resuming air links, and enhancingcooperation in the energy sector.
It was agreed to hold the next meeting of Pakistan-TajikistanInter-Governmental Commission and Joint Working Group on Education andScience and Technology at an early date.
The Foreign Secretary highlighted government’s socio-economic agenda andshift in focus from geo-politics to geo-economics.
He said that the Government aimed at leveraging Pakistan’s immensepotential of regional connectivity through development of CPEC andproviding shortest possible route from Central Asia to Arabian Sea throughPakistani seaports of Gwadar, Bin Qasim and Karachi.
The two sides also discussed ways to develop greater collaboration amongstudents, artists, academicians and leading Universities of the twocountries to boost educational and cultural linkages by building on commonheritage.
While exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,the Foreign Secretary underscored the importance of peace and stability inAfghanistan for the progress and prosperity of the region and expressedsupport for a negotiated, political solution through an Afghan-led andAfghan-owned process.
In this context, he highlighted Pakistan’s positive contributions to theAfghan peace process.
The Foreign Secretary also highlighted the situation in IIOJ&K marked byhuman rights violations and attempts to change demographic structure.
He stressed the need by India to create enabling environment and topeacefully resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute according to the UnitedNations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The two sides expressed satisfaction on mutual cooperation at themultilateral fora, including at the UN, OIC, SCO and ECO and reaffirmedtheir resolve to continue collaboration on global and regional issues ofcommon interest.
The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level bilateralexchanges and visits at the highest level.