ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Tajikistan have called a meeting of the Joint Working Group in Istanbul later this month to finalise outstanding commercial and operational matters for the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA-1000) regional electricity supply project.

It was agreed by the two sides at the 8th session of the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Coop­eration, which concluded in Dush­anbe on Thursday. The session was co-chaired by Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and his Tajik counterpart Jum’a Daler Shofaqir.

The Economic Affairs Division said the two sides issued a joint statement and highly appreciated the progress achieved under the CASA-1000 Project and stressed the importance of completing the remaining work for the project’s timely operationalisation.

Under the project, both countries are to exchange their respective surpluses and bridge power shortages on an alternate basis, given their seasonal variations.

Joint Working Group to meet in Istanbul this month to resolve outstanding issues

The Tajik side appreciated the productive discussions between the technical experts of the two sides, in various areas of cooperation such as energy, commerce and trade, industry, health, transport and communication, food and agriculture, education, science and technology, media, tourism, sports, and culture.

Mr Leghari highlighted the constructive technical discussions and called for active follow-up and implementation of the decisions taken during the session.

He emphasised the importance of increasing trade and investment cooperation and regional connectivity. The sides agreed to organise 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 $200 million.

Both countries welcomed the finalisation 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 the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and termed it a significant step to boost trade and commercial ties and agreed to continue talks for its early finalisation. They 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 Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan expressed interest in collaborating with Pakistan on exploring investment opportunities for Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL) and Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDCL) 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 were also endorsed.

In the agriculture sector, both sides shared the need to increase cooperation in agricultural trade and exchange of information on seasonal and high-potential products. They emphasised cooperation in the transfer and testing of high-yield crop varieties, including cotton, wheat, potatoes and vegetables. Both countries also agreed to finalise a roadmap to strengthen cooperation in agriculture and to promote cooperation in the phytosanitary and veterinary fields.

Mr Leghari also emphasised operationalising direct flights between the two countries and making efforts to facilitate visas. It was further added that the Pakistani side would work closely with Tajik partners to translate JC’s understandings into meaningful progress for the two countries and their people.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2026