ISLAMABAD, SEPT 16 (DNA) –Ambassador of Tajikistan Sherali Jononov hosted a grand reception to celebrate 25^th Anniversary of Independence of Tajikistan. A large number of people from all walks of life attended the reception.

Being the third day of Eid-ul-Azha a low turnout was expected but the hall was almost jam-packed when the routine proceedings of the ceremony started. Federal Minister for Water and Power and Defence Minister Khwaja Asif was the chief guest while Governor Punjab Rafiq Rajwana especially came from Lahore to be part of the Tajik national day celebrations. In addition, Mayor of Islamabad Sheikh Anser Aziz who is Chairman CDA also attended the reception along with his wife.

Ambassador of Tajkistan Sherali Jononov on the occasion talked exclusively to DNA and expressed his strong desire to further cement and strengthen Tajikistan, Pakistan relations.

He said, a number of projects between the two countries were under way including CASA 1000, which is expected to be completed in 2018. The ambassador told, after completion of CASA 1000 project, Pakistan’s energy needs would sufficiently be catered.

Ambassador of Tajikistan further said, his country attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan adding Tajik President considered Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as dear brother. On his invitation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Tajikistan on a number of occasion which speaks volumes for the strong bonds of friendship between the two brotherly countries.

Ambassador Sherali, who happens to be a dynamic and among the most popular ambassadors in the diplomatic corps, further said a high level delegation, will visit Pakistan to formally open new embassy of Tajikistan, which is near its completion in the diplomatic enclave.

He said there is wide scope for bilateral cooperation in many other fields and both sides are exploring ways and means to give this cooperation practical shape.

He said, his particular focus was on improving people to people relations also. Likewise strengthening of relations with the business community was also his top priority. He also talked about various expos held in Dushanbe by Pakistani businessmen adding a couple of such expositions will be held in newt few months.

Ambassador Sherali encouraged the Pakistani businessmen to go to Tajikistan and benefit from huge opportunities that Tajikistan markets offered to businessmen. He said foreign investments were coming to Tajikistan in large numbers as the Tajik government led by dynamic President Emomali Rahmon had offered huge incentives to businessmen.=DNA

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