DUSHANBE, Tajikistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe on Wednesday along with Foreign Ministers of SCO Member States.
During the call, the foreign minister congratulated the Tajik president on the successful stewardship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) under its presidency, during which new areas were identified to further strengthen cooperation under the SCO.
Recalling the Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Pakistan in June 2021, the foreign minister remarked that the visit provided fresh impetus to already strong bilateral ties and opened new vistas of collaboration.
The foreign minister highlighted the government’s Vision Central Asia policy to enhance outreach to Central Asian Republics.
Underlining that the absence of connectivity impedes strong ties, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s interest to work with Central Asian Republics on rail, road, and energy projects which would link Central Asia with Pakistan.
The foreign minister added that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) provides an ideal opportunity in this regard.
On the regional security situation, the foreign minister emphasized that the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan had opened new challenges and opportunities.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed the hope that SCO would continue to play its due role in support of the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is in Dushanbe to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting and the SCO Contact Group on Afghanistan.
