Major breakthrough in bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan is in the offing as Tajik Airlines is starting its flight operation from Dushanbe to Islamabad from next month, this was stated by Tajikistan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Zubaydullo N. Zubaydov.
Following a meeting along with Honorary Consul General, Irshad Kassim held with high officials of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) Dr Zubaydov announced to extend full-fledged status to Consulate General of Tajikistan in Karachi and start issuing visas to the businessmen as well to the tourists very soon.
"Initially a visa councilor will be posted in Karachi and more staff to be added later on depending on the volume of visa applications flowing in at the Consulate", Tajik Envoy said. He said that Honorary Consul General, Mr Irshad Kassim is striving hard to boost bilateral trade and brotherly relations between the two countries and spearheading the Karachi Consulate.
He further announced to form a Pakistan-Tajikistan Business Forum (PTBF) very soon to further boost the bilateral trade and in this regard he will again visit Karachi by the end of this month. "Tajik Air will operate two flights a week from June in the first place and will add Karachi and Lahore to its operation later on", Zubaydov said adding that he is planning to set up a display center of Tajikistan in Karachi for introduction and promotion of Tajik products in Pakistan. He said that the display centre would be a one room trading centre that would be extended further in late stage. Moreover, tripartite negotiations between Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan are going on for Transit Trade Agreement and construction of road linking Pakistan with Tajikistan through Wakhan, Afghanistan.
He also informed that Tajikistan after Karachi has already appointed Honorary Consul General in Lahore and Peshawar. Tajik envoy informed that big activities of improvement of road network and infrastructure are going on in Tajikistan and China has taken up construction of road network at a cost of $500 million. -PR