Being Muslim brothers and close
neighbours on North-western part of South Asian subcontinent, both nations
though share common traditions and cultural values however, formal and informal
relations among the people and governments of both states have steadily been
growing since Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Bilateral relations
further phased in huge influx of Tajik refugee in Soviet-Afghan War period which
lasted for ten years. Soon after independence from former USSR, Tajikistan
suddenly fell prey to rigorous political unrest which resulted in Civil War in
1992, again Pakistan hosted hundreds thousands Tajik refugee, moved in Pakistan
via Afghanistan. Lower economic opportunities are also major factors, pushing
Tajik people to settle in different parts of Pakistan.
Importance of Pakistan-Tajikistan bilateral relations can be visualized as
Pakistan is amongst the first countries that recognized the independence status
of Tajikistan, following the collapse of USSR in 1991, extended the diplomatic
connections by opening Pakistan’s embassy in Dushanbe in 1993. The Republic of
Tajikistan opened its first diplomatic mission (Consular Office) in Karachi in
1997 and later on by the end of 2005; Embassy of Tajikistan was inaugurated in
Islamabad.
Geographically, both states are only 10 miles away from their closest point.
According to a rough estimate, almost 1.2 million Tajikistanis are living in
Pakistan. Exact figure is difficult to define as because many Tajikistanis are
living without identity cards and some have permanently settled and they are
recognized as Chitralis and Gilgiti. Unknown number of Tajik refugees belonging
to Soviet-Afghan War and Tajikistan Civil War periods have also returned to
their home country or again settled back in Afghanistan.
In bilateral relations nations need to learn and gain from each other
experiences and they transfer more economic benefits to prosper people.
Absolutely, both nations have not yet satisfied the optimum level of gains from
bilateral relation from political, cultural and economic point of view;
particularly, Pakistan one who has paid a huge political and economic cost to
accommodate Central Asian neighbours during epochs from Soviet-Afghan War to
date.
Logically, one factor which has hindered development cooperation between both
nations belonged to political unrest which lasted from 1991 to 1997 and lower
economic opportunities in Tajikistan. However, let me turn spot light what both
nations could have offered to each other in their 23 years old friendly
relations.
Leaning-to the cordial relations with Tajikistan, Pakistan has declared to
smooth the progress of hilly land locked Tajikistan’s access to the world
through its road and sea level routes. Joint Economic Commission is also
functioning between the two governments and the fourth meeting of the commission
to strengthen political, economic, cultural and technical cooperation was held
on February 28, 2011 in Dushanbe. President of Tajikistan has announced an ‘open
door policy’ for the promotion of beneficial relations for friendly states; 50
agricultural and infrastructure projects worth USD 700 million are under
constructions which will possibly access land and sea routes of Pakistan and
will also prove a gateway for the future development of trade relations.
The volume of trade has also increased in last 10 years and particularly,
significant increased as compared to year 2012 has been seen due to the
tremendous efforts made by recent Pakistani PML (N) government. According to
International Trade Statistics’ report published in 2015, the total volume of
trade in 2012 was USD 333.8 and increased by USD 11749.8 in 2013 and 13824.2 in
2014. Pakistan’s imports from Tajikistan has increased from USD 234.8 in 2012 to
USD 533.5 in 2014 while Pakistan’s export to Tajikistan has been recorded USD
3104 in 2012 and again USD 13290.7 in 2014(The amount of total volume of trade
is in thousands USD).
All besides, more than 30 agreements, protocols and Memorandum of Understandings
have also been signed between both states to expand cooperation in the fields of
energy, communications, tourism, transport and agricultural and industrial
trades including the most important Inter-Governmental Agreement signed in
Islamabad in August 2008 to promote cooperation in energy sector and
Pakistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan Trilateral Transit Trade Agreement (PATTTTA)
which was signed on January 3, 2015 to develop business opportunities by
constructing rail and road links.
Admittedly, Tajikistan is third largest producer of hydroelectric power after
USA Russia. Despite using its full potential to fulfil the shortage of growing
energy demand of neighbouring countries, Tajikistan was using only 5% of its
total potential to cover up its domestic energy demand.
On the other hand, Pakistan has always been focusing on Central Asian energy
alternatives and for that an Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed between
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan; International Financial
Council operating under that agreement framed (Central Asian South Asian South
Asian Energy Transmission of 1000 MW) CASA-1000 summary. According to agreement,
Tajikistan will supply 1000 MW electricity to Pakistan. This project was
approved by Asian Development Bank and was supposed to be completed till now but
its accomplishment remained delayed due to War against Terrorism in Afghanistan,
peace insecurity on the north-western boarder of Pakistan and escalating
political tension within Afghanistan. Fortunately, by the worthwhile efforts of
recent PML (N) government in Pakistan started last year, now Tajikistani &
Pakistani governments are affirming to complete project in 2017. In last June
2014, Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Nawaz Sharif visited Tajikistan to
recuperate deep historical bounds and to reinstall CASA-1000 project. During the
same visit, two countries also decided to establish the Joint Commission on
Energy and Infrastructure and representatives of both states were supposed to
meet twice a year to rapidly complete past projects.
This year again PM Nawaz has visited Dushanbe on two-day official visits at the
special invitation of his Tajik counterpart, Mr. Qohir Rasulzoda to attend
International Conference on Water for Life 2005-25, held between 9th and 10th of
June 2015. PM Nawaz represented Pakistan at the conference. In his speech, he
avowed that Pakistan would sustain 100 percent access to clean drinking water
and sanitation facilities would be brought to reality. He also urged all global
leader to join hand together to overcome the global challenge ‘access to
drinking’ the 40 percent of humanity is facing today.
Besides participating in the conference the significant prospect of his visit
was to boost up talk on the rapid implementation of CASA-1000 in one-to-one
meeting with Tajik President, Mr. Emomali Rahmon. After the meeting on 10th June
2015, Joint Declaration to develop cooperation in the field of security to
counter terrorism was released. Both the leaders affirmed that past project,
CASA-1000 would be accomplished within due period. Besides, PM Nawaz stressed
that the two sides also agreed to strengthen economic cooperation by optimally
utilizing the existing institutional mechanisms, especially through the
Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Ministerial Commission.
Strengthening bilateral economic ties with Central Asian neighbours and
reinstall the process to accomplish past projects are of course marvellous
achievements of recent government and its exemplary approach; gains will grows
at increasing rate and nations in the process of developing cooperation will
definitely prosper themselves in the near future.