Pakistan and Tajikistan on Monday reaffirmed mutual desire to further enhance trade and economic relationship as Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz held cordial and constructive meetings with Tajik leaders on a broad range of subjects. Shaukat Aziz told newsmen after separate meetings with Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmonov and his Tajik counterpart Aqilov Aqil Ghayduloyezich that both countries have a firm desire to establish communication link.
"We will carry out a survey for a road link with Tajikistan and Tajik leaders are excited and have expressed their support for this idea," he said.
Shaukat, who met President Rahmonov for over an hour ahead of Tuesday's summit of the Economic Co-operation Organisation (ECO), informed that it has been decided that Pakistan will open a branch of Habib Bank in Tajikistan.
The Governor of Tajikistan's Central Bank also attended the meeting.
The Prime Minister said the Gwadar Port could serve as a transit for Tajikistan's trade with the Gulf and other countries.
In addition, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), whose delegation is also in Dushanbe, will set up an export display centre in Dushanbe.
The Tajik President informed Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that Dushanbe will upgrade its embassy to ambassador level in Islamabad.
The joint economic commission of the two countries will meet shortly as part of their commitment to further boost trade and economic ties.
Shaukat Aziz briefed the Tajik President about Pakistan-India relations in the context of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the confidence-building measures.
"Kashmir is the core issue and we want to resolve it peacefully," he said.
Pakistan, he said, wants peace but there should be forward movement on Kashmir issue
Shaukat Aziz expressed the hope that the composite dialogue process with India would have a positive outcome.
The leaders of two countries also exchanged views on strengthening the ECO for the benefit of all member countries.
Shaukat Aziz was assisted during the meetings by Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Minister of State for Frontier region Yar Muhammad Rind, Chairman of Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Hamid Nasir Chatha.