The 8th Session of the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation was held between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Tajikistan in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan. The session was co-chaired by H.E. Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division), Government of Pakistan, and H.E. Mr. Jum’a Daler Shofaqir, Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Government of Tajikistan.
The following Ministries also participated in the Joint Commission, in-person and online, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination, Ministry of Industries & Production, Power Division, Petroleum Divisions, Inter-Provincial Coordination, and the State Bank of Pakistan. All relevant state departments of Tajikistan Government also participated in the Session.
The host co-Chair welcomed the delegates from Pakistan and appreciated the productive technical level discussions, between the technical experts of the two sides, in various areas of cooperation such as energy, commerce and trade, industry, health, transport & communication, food & agriculture, education, science & technology, media, tourism, sports, and culture.
The Pakistan co-Chair appreciated the warm hospitality extended to Pakistan Delegation and thanked the government and people of Tajikistan. The Minister highlighting the constructive discussion held between the experts of the two sides, urged for active follow up and implementation of the decisions taken during the Joint Commission.
Pakistan side emphasized the importance of increasing trade and investment cooperation and regional connectivity. The sides agreed to organize trade delegations, B2B meetings and online business interactions to enhance bilateral trade. The two sides further agreed to exchange information on tariffs, regulations and potential sectors for trade cooperation, while working towards a three-year roadmap to increase bilateral trade to USD 200 million.
Both countries welcomed the finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency for Export under the Government of Tajikistan and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. Both sides discussed PTA, a significant step to boost trade and commercial ties and agreed to continue discussions for its early finalization. The Parties also agreed to strengthen cooperation for government-to-government procurement through an MoU between the Agency for State Material Reserves of Tajikistan and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan.
The two sides highly appreciated the progress achieved under the CASA-1000 Project and stressed the importance of completing the remaining work for the project’s timely operationalization. Pakistan and Tajikistan also reaffirmed participation in the CASA-1000 Joint Working Group meeting scheduled for June 2026 in Istanbul to finalize outstanding commercial and operational matters.
The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan expressed interest in collaborating with Pakistan on exploring investment opportunities for Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Oil & Gas Development Company Limited in Tajikistan’s exploration and production sector. Technical cooperation and training opportunities for Tajik oil and gas professionals through Pakistan’s Oil & Gas Training Institute was also endorsed.
In the agriculture sector, both sides shared the need for increasing cooperation in agricultural trade and exchange of information on seasonal and high-potential products. The Parties emphasized cooperation in the transfer and testing of high-yield crop varieties including cotton, wheat, potatoes and vegetables. Both countries also agreed to finalize a Roadmap for Strengthening Cooperation in Agriculture and promote cooperation in phytosanitary and veterinary fields.
In education, science and technology, the Parties discussed cooperation between universities and research institutions of both countries. Tajikistan proposed collaboration between the Tajikistan University of Technology and the National University of Sciences and Technology Islamabad in engineering, IT and architecture. Both sides also agreed to encourage joint research projects in water resources, hydropower, ecology and agriculture, along with exchange of scientific information and innovative technologies.
Appreciating the proposals for cooperation in culture, tourism, youth affairs and sports the two co Chairs endorsed the same and emphasized sustainable tourism.
During the concluding session, the Pakistan co-Chair appreciated the warm hospitality, constructive engagement and spirit of friendship demonstrated throughout the session. The Pakistan co-Chair appreciated the leadership and hospitality extended by H.E. Mr. Jum’a Daler Shofaqir and the Government of Tajikistan, while the Tajik side conveyed sincere gratitude to H.E. Mr. Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, and the JC team for their effective coordination and commitment towards strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
During the visit, the Minister for Power Mr. Leghari also called on the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, H.E. Qohir Rasulzoda and conveyed the greetings of Pakistan’s leadership to the Prime Minister and expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to the Pakistan delegation during the Joint Commission. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the fruitful conclusion of the JC, and paid compliments to the President of Tajikistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, whose vision, he said, had elevated the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. Minister Leghari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the timely completion of the CASA-1000 project. The two sides underscored the importance of developing sustainable trade and connectivity routes between the two countries. The Prime Minister appreciated Pakistan’s participation in high level Water Forum, held in Dushanbe last month. It was suggested that in view of the elevated bilateral relationship, the Joint Commission should meet more than once a year to sustain the momentum. Minister Leghari further emphasized operationalizing direct flights between the two countries and to make efforts for visa facilitation. It was further added that Pakistan side would work closely with Tajik partners to translate JC’s understandings into meaningful progress for the two countries and their people.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitments on sustaining momentum through more frequent Joint Commission meetings, and further deepening cooperation areas of trade, agriculture, energy, tourism, and connectivity.
