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DUSHANBE, (MANEND NEWS): Prime Minister Imran Khan says Pakistan is resolved to
comprehensively upgrade engagement with Central Asian countries through its “Vision
Central Asia” policy.
He was talking with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan on the sidelines of
the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Dushanbe on Thursday. He particularly
emphasized the importance of connectivity and Pakistan’s pivotal position in providing
the shortest access route to the sea.
He also highlighted the significance of Trans-Afghan railway project connecting
Termez-Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul-Jalalabad-Peshawar. Prime Minister Imran Khan also
elaborated his vision of socio-economic development and shifting country’s priority from
geo-politics to geo-economics.
Imran Khan also underscored the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for
Pakistan and the region. He stressed that the international community had to remain
engaged to support the Afghan people, to address urgent humanitarian needs, and take
steps to stabilize the economy.
The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and discussed key regional and
international issues.
They affirmed the commitment to enhance Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations in diverse
fields particularly trade, investment and transportation links. The two leaders agreed to
increase the frequency of high-level political exchanges. They also decided to enhance
connectivity through land and air routes to promote regional integration.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Imran Khan and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko
met in Tajikistan on Thursday and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relationship in
diverse fields.
The meeting, held on the side lines of 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council
of Heads of State (SCO-CHS) Summit, focused on closed collaboration in areas of
mutual interest.
Pakistan and Belarus enjoy cordial relations based on a common approach on issues of
regional and international importance.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Imran Khan has invited the Tajik investors to invest in
Pakistan, assuring to extend full facilitation to them. Addressing Pakistan Tajikistan
Business Forum in Dushanbe on Thursday, he noted that increased trade will benefit both
the countries.
PM Imran Khan said our current trade of eighty million dollars is minuscule and there is
a lot of potential to bolster it. He said Pakistan is a big market of two hundred and thirty
million people.
The Prime Minister said the objective of this Business Forum is to have interaction
between the business communities of Pakistan and Tajikistan. He said some sixty seven
companies from Pakistan are attending this event.
Imran Khan said CASA 1000 project will be expedited so that we can benefit from
Tajikistan’s clean and cheap energy. The Prime Minister stressed that peace in
Afghanistan is important for better connectivity and trade between Pakistan and
Tajikistan. He said both Pakistan and Tajikistan will be trying everything for peace and
inclusive government in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain says
Pakistan desires to connect China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with Central
Asian States as per the economic vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Talking to media in Dushanbe on Thursday, he said we have been stressing on the
inclusion of Central Asian states even before the current situation in Afghanistan. He said
connecting all Central Asian States with rail and road network will enhance connectivity
in the region.
The Minister hoped that situation in Afghanistan will be better. He said that the
international cooperation with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan will benefit the
entire world.