ISLAMABAD, 14 May 2004 — Pakistan and Tajikistan yesterday signed eight agreements on boosting relations and establishing diplomatic missions in their respective capitals.
The agreements pertain to education, judiciary, drug trafficking, tourism, visa facilitation, avoidance of double taxation and promotion and protection of investment.
The two sides agreed to set up two working groups on counterterrorism and regional security in an effort to underline their pledge to work together against terrorists and extremist groups.
“They condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestation and agreed to work together to combat terrorism as well as narcotics production and drug trafficking,” said a joint declaration issued after official talks between Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov.
Jamali, who was present along with President Rahmonov during the signing ceremony, told reporters afterward that, “All these agreements underscored the growing relationship between the two countries”.
Rahmonov appreciated Pakistan’s role in the international war against terrorism and also lauded the resumption of the peace process between Pakistan and India in January this year. Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the Bonn Process and endeavors of President Hamid Karzai for the national reconciliation and reconstruction of Afghanistan.
In the past Tajikistan has been critical of Pakistan’s support for Afghanistan’s Taliban militia and itself had provided the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance (NA) — headed by the slain Ahmed Shah Masood — until the war against terrorism forced the radical militia out of power in late 2001.
Both countries are members of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) which also includes Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan occupies a key location for trade between the land-locked Central Asian states and the Gulf region and beyond via Afghanistan.
