ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says cooperation between Pakistan and Central Asian Republics in diverse fields is progressing by leaps and bounds.
He was talking to journalists on-board his plane while returning home after completing his two-day official visit to Tajikistan.
The Prime Minister said all Central Asian Republics are friends of Pakistan and desirous of bolstering bilateral relations and cooperation.
He said Tajikistan wants to further strengthen communication links with Pakistan. He said the Tajik President expressed desire for trade through Gwadar port.
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s stance of having better relations with the neighboring countries. He said the deteriorated situation in Afghanistan has left negative impact on the region.
Nawaz Sharif said that development cannot be made without peace and cordial relations with other countries, particularly the neighbours. For this reason, Pakistan is desirous of peace in the region and tranquility in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said oppressive forces of India have martyred hundreds of innocent and unarmed people in Kashmir. He said Indian forces are using barbaric tactics to strangulate people’s voice for their birth right to self-determination.
Turning to internal situation, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan is making progress, but some foes of the country want to halt this journey.
He said the issue of energy shortage is going to be resolved during our constitutional tenure.
He said political uncertainty created by political opponents through their conspiracies has adversely affected the stock exchange.
In spite of all conspiracies, the Prime Minister said, PML-N will win next general elections as he enjoyed overwhelming support of the people of Pakistan.
Nawaz Sharif said that accountability of his family has been continuing since 1972. He said his hands are clean and will come out successful in the ongoing investigation process against him.
The Prime Minister has arrived in Islamabad after the two-day official visit to Tajikistan.
Earlier in Tajikistan, Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan needs energy for its socio-economic development and to run its industrial sector to its full potential. He said the project would help generate employment opportunities and uplift standards of living of people of Pakistan.
He expressed satisfaction that some of the world’s leading manufacturers have expressed their keen interest to provide Converter Stations for CASA-1000. He also pointed out that tenders for transmission lines from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan and from Tajikistan to Afghanistan have been floated and are currently being evaluated.
Nawaz Sharif described CASA-1000 as flagship project in the region connecting Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia to Afghanistan and Pakistan in South Asia through an electricity grid.
He said on its completion, Pakistan will get 1,000MW and Afghanistan 300MW electricity in summer time, from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. This project will help bring a number of economic, social and environmental benefits to member countries, he continued.
The premier said the project is an important step toward realization of the planned Central Asia, South Asia regional electricity market. He said it will be a good example of promoting cooperation between energy-deficient South Asia and energy-rich Central Asia.
Nawaz Sharif said CASA-1000 Power Project will not only bring revenues to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan but will also reduce electricity shortages in Pakistan and Afghanistan and increase the prospects for growth.
