Pakistan–Tajikistan relations

Pakistan–Tajikistan relations are the foreign relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Pakistan–Tajikistan relations
Map indicating locations of Pakistan and Tajikistan

Pakistan
Tajikistan
Diplomatic mission
Pakistani Embassy, Dushanbe[1]Tajik Embassy, Islamabad
Envoy
Ambassador Tariq Iqbal Soomro [1]Ambassador Sherali Jononov[2]

The two countries are only 16 kilometres (10 mi) apart at their closest point. The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip of territory in northeastern Afghanistan that extends to China and separates Tajikistan from Pakistan.[3]

Country comparison
Common NamePakistanTajikistan
Official nameIslamic Republic of PakistanRepublic of Tajikistan
Coat of Arms
Flag Pakistan Tajikistan
Area 881,913 km2 (340,509 sq mi) 143,100 km2 (55,300 sq mi)
Population 212,742,631[4] 9,275,827
Population Density 244.4/km2 (633/sq mi) 48.6/km2 (125.9/sq mi)
Capital Islamabad Dushanbe
Largest Metropolitan Area Karachi (14,910,352)[5] Dushanbe (843,252)
Government Federal Parliamentary Republic Unitary Presidential Republic
Current Leader Shehbaz Sharif Emomali Rahmon
Official Languages Urdu Tajik
GDP (nominal) $263.68 billion[6] $7.350 Billion
GDP (PPP) $1.195 Trillion[7] $30.547 Billion
GDP (nominal) per Capita $1,650 $807
GDP (PPP) per Capita $5,839 $3,354
Human Development Index Increase 0.562 (Medium) Increase 0.650 (Medium)
Military Expenditures $9.6 Billion[8] $53 Million

History of relations

Relations between the two states were established when the republic of Tajikistan became independent following the collapse of the USSR. Trade and cooperation has steadily grown between the two nations, with several summits being held on how to improve bilateral trade.[9][10] In March 2008 Said Saidbaig, the Tajik Ambassador, announced that his country would be able to export cheap electricity to Pakistan and Iran.[11]

In 2019, Pakistan announced visa-on-arrival facilities for Tajik passport holders.[12]

Tajiks in Pakistan

There are at least 1.2 million Tajiks living in Pakistan. In recent years, many Tajiks from Tajikistan have settled in Pakistan due to the economic conditions prevalent in their home country, many have settled in the northern city of Ishkuman. In 1979, with the invasion by the Soviet Union of Afghanistan, a large number of Tajik refugees from that country came and settled throughout Pakistan. Exact numbers are difficult to ascertain as many don't have official identity cards or are counted as being Chitrali or Gilgiti in official census figures. There also large number of Tajiks from Afghanistan that have settled in Pakistan permanently. Many Tajik refugees from Tajikistan lived in Pakistan and some of them returned to Tajikistan.[13]

Strategic commitments

In November 2015, a meeting was held at Governor house Islamabad, the Tajik President and Pakistani Prime Minister affirmed plans to connect Pakistan and Tajikistan through road networks, such as from Chitral-Ishkashim-Dushanbe.[14] In June 2021, President of Tajikistan visited Pakistan on the request of Pakistan's Prime Minister and both countries signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) for cooperation in various sectors, including the sale of Pakistan-manufactured arms to Tajikistan.[15]

On September 17, 2021 Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, announced that Pakistan will upgrade the bilateral relations to the level of a long-term strategic partnership.[16]

In this regard, the two leaders further agreed to work towards signing of a Strategic Partnership Agreement. The leaders accorded particular focus on further strengthening of reliable and constructive high-level contacts, inter-parliamentary ties, defence and security relations between the two countries.

The two leaders underscored the importance of expansion of mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation, improvement of investment and trade environment between the two countries.

See also

References
  1. Embassy of Pakistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
  2. Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
  3. Mughal, M. A. Z. (2013). "Pamir Alpine Desert and Tundra." In: Biomes & Ecosystems, vol. 1, pp. 978-980. Robert Warren Howarth (ed.). Ipswich, MA: Salem Press.
  4. Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "PROVISIONAL SUMMARY RESULTS OF 6TH POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS-2017". Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  6. "GDP (Current US$) - Pakistan | Data".
  7. "World Economic Outlook Database, April 2018". www.imf.org.
  8. Gurung, Shaurya Karanbir. "20% increase in Pakistan defence budget signals neighbour's intent". The Economic Times.
  9. "Pakistan, Tajikistan agree to boost trade". Dawn.com. 3 June 2002. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  10. "Musharraf leaves for Tajikistan on Sunday". Dawn.com. 31 May 2002. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  11. "Tajikistan to supply cheap power to Pakistan". Dawn. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  12. "Pakistan visa". Caravanistan. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  13. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (1 October 2002). "Long-time Tajik refugees return home from Pakistan". Unhcr.org. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  14. "Various road projects connecting Pakistan with Tajikistan approved". 13 November 2015.
  15. "Pakistan to provide arms to Tajikistan, says PM Imran as leaders sign MoUs for cooperation in various fields". DAWN. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  16. "Pakistan, Tajikistan decide to upgrade long-term strategic partnership".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.