Daily Times

National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf Tuesday said Tajikistan and Pakistan needed to pay special focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, transport, connectivity, energy, defence and security.

He held a bilateral meeting with the Secretary of Security Council of Tajikistan and NSA Nasrullo Mahmudzoda in Dushanbe, said a news release received here.

Dr Moeed said Pakistan and Tajikistan shared the longest borders with Afghanistan and therefore needed to cooperate closely for regional peace and security.

He highlighted that Pakistani seaports including Gwadar offered the most economic and efficient route to Tajikistan for its connectivity with the outer world through sea.

He extended felicitations to his Tajik counterpart on assumption of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) chair and best wishes for successful organization of 16th meeting of Secretaries of the Security Councils of SCO Member States as well as upcoming 20th Anniversary of SCO Summit in Dushanbe in September later this year.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the excellent bilateral ties between the two brotherly countries and reiterated their resolve to further deepen and diversify these ties for mutual benefit.

In the meeting, Tajik Secretary of Security Council Mahmudzoda expressed gratitude on behalf of his government for Pakistan’s continued assistance in humanitarian and technical spheres including provision of training for capacity building of Tajik servicemen.

Mahmudzoda said bilateral ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan were flourishing day by day and the recent visit of Tajik president to Pakistan had added yet another impetus to these ties. He remarked that it was the first bilateral meeting held by Tajik side for any visiting foreign dignitary in the newly built building in the Presidential Complex in Dushanbe.

The two NSAs resolved to maintain the regular contacts for further boosting the bilateral ties. In the meeting, NSA Dr Moeed Yusuf was accompanied by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Imran Haider. The meeting was held in a very frank and friendly atmosphere.