ISLAMABAD: Centre for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) Chairman Lieutenant General (r) Muhammad Zahirul Islam has said that Tajikistan is a leading country in energy production. Pakistan and Tajikistan can work together on an Energy Corridor which can benefit the entire region thus, bringing prosperity to the region. However, several practical steps are required for the development of this energy corridor. He stated this while addressing a conference organised by CGSS on Pakistan-Tajikistan – Exploring New Dimensions Of Cooperation on Monday. The event brought together international guest speakers, diplomats, former ambassadors, government representatives and experts of foreign policy and individuals from public and private entities. The aim of the conference was to discuss the various areas of mutual collaboration between Pakistan and Tajikistan. Republic of Tajikistan’s President Strategic Researchers Centre Foreign Policy Perspectives Department Head Dr Hakim Abdullohi Rahnamo presented his expert opinion on Tajikistan’s foreign policy and its relations with regional countries. He stated that Tajikistan supports this activity of warm relations with Pakistan. The aim of Tajikistan is to keep geo-political balance in its foreign policy. He said that Tajikistan’s priority was to develop brotherly relations with all the Central Asian states, Pakistan, China and Russia. Regional security is one of the most significant elements of Tajikistan’s foreign policy and Pakistan can be a key player in regional security. Pakistan former federal secretary of informatin Ashfaq Ahmed Gondal deliberated on Pakistan-Tajikistan Media Cooperation. He stated, “If we have a common past then we must have a common future also. Pakistan and Tajikistan must use its media to promote bilateral national interest. The national news agencies of Tajikistan and Pakistan must sign agreements with each other and increase interaction for the exchange of information and documentaries so that positive image of both the countries can be portrayed.” Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Representative Abdurahmonov Marufjon presented his speech on 25 Years of Tajikistan-Pakistan Diplomatic Relations. In the last 25 years, the relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan have evolved and more than 50 agreements have been signed to institutionalise the relations with Pakistan. The poets of Pakistan including Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Allama Iqbal are very popular in Tajikistan. The poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz have been formulated in Tajik language and will also be published very soon. More than 200 verses of Allama Iqbal have been composed and performed by the artists of Tajikistan. CGSS Senior Member Advisory Board Amjad Majid Abbasi presented speech on Pakistan – Tajikistan Relationship – A Breakthrough In History and gave the real life story on the historical breakthrough in the bilateral relation in between the two countries. He traced the historical meeting of the two presidents in April 2002 which proved the ice breaking in the very tense relations. The ambassador mentioned about the first trade convoy organised by the embassy which was sent through Afghanistan to Central Asian Republic of Tajikistan. Also mentioned was the work done for establishment of first display centre of Pakistan production in Dushanbe back in April 2004. Silk Bank Islamic Banking Head Jawad Majid gave a detailed presentation on Prospects of Socio-Economic Relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan. Published in Daily Times, April 10th 2018.