Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has asserted Pakistan’s commitment to the timely completion of the CASA-1000 project, which aims to develop renewable energy infrastructure. He made these remarks during a meeting with Tajikistan’s Defence Minister, Colonel General Sabirzoda Emomali Abdulrahim, who visited Islamabad with his delegation.

According to Radio Pakistan, President Zardari emphasized the value of Pakistan’s multi-faceted relationship with Tajikistan, which is rooted in shared history, culture, and linguistic ties. He suggested that both countries should work to enhance political, cultural, and people-to-people contacts. He described Tajikistan as a bridge to Central Asia, with Pakistan serving as a gateway to international waters for Tajikistan, highlighting the potential roles both nations can play in promoting regional peace and stability.

President Zardari also emphasized the importance of exploring the vast potential for bilateral trade and investment between Pakistan and Tajikistan. He expressed satisfaction with the expanding defence cooperation, evidenced by frequent leadership exchanges between the two countries’ armed forces. He noted that the successful organization of the Dosti-II defence exercise is a testament to the strong historic defence ties between the two nations.

The Tajik Defence Minister expressed interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation with Pakistan across multiple sectors.