Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that various matters of mutual interests to further strengthen the economic ties and to enhance the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Tajikistan in all the fields will be taken up during the meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission to be hosted by Pakistan likely to be held in the middle of current year.
He made these remarks while talking to the ambassador of Tajikistan, Zubayadulla Zybaydov, who called on the Minister on Tuesday. While welcoming the envoy, the Ashraf said the Tajikistan expertise in hydroelectric power generation will benefit Pakistan, adding "we will welcome and facilitate the Tajikistan to invest and participate in the Hydroelectic generation projects in Pakistan".
The Minister said that Pakistan has identified various water resources for generation of 25,000 MW hydel power. Currently, Pakistan has hydel generation capability of about 6,500 MW and the government is focusing on more hydropower generation projects to produce cheaper electricity.
The Ambassador also discussed the matters relating to direct PIA flights from Pakistan to Tajikistan and investment possibilities in water and power sectors. The Ambassador said that Tajikistan has great hydroelectric generation potential with surplus power and offered to export more power to Pakistan. He also offered every possible assistance and technical co-operation in this regard.-PR