Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed the need to improve defense ties with Tajikistan, as the two countries signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) for the sale of Pakistan-manufactured arms to the Central Asian country. The two nations also inked MOUs on cooperation in several other sectors on the occasion of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon's two-day visit to Pakistan that began Wednesday.
 
Addressing a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office with the Tajik president after a one-on-one meeting and a ceremony where the MOUs were signed, the premier said: "It is very important to improve our defense ties".

He said the two leaders "discussed and signed MOUs on how to meet Tajikistan's requirement for the kind of weapons that Pakistan makes."

The MOUs and agreements signed between the two countries span various sectors including academic cooperation, trade and commerce, art and culture, linguistics, technology and road transport.

The two nations also came up with a joint declaration on the next steps in building a strategic partnership for regional solidarity and integration.

The premier said the connectivity offered by China-funded Gwadar Port would lead to the strengthening of trade ties in areas such as education and culture, Dawn reported.

Imran Khan said peace in Afghanistan was "very important" for trade and connectivity with Tajikistan to increase. He said both countries shared concern over Afghanistan delving back into instability with no political settlement after the withdrawal of US forces.

"Our trade will be affected because of (decreased) connectivity if anarchy spreads there and second we fear that terrorism will increase," he said.

The Tajik president said the talks had been held in a very "friendly atmosphere" and Tajikistan was satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations.

"Tajikistan recognizes the friendly country of Pakistan as a reliable and trustworthy partner on the international stage," he said.

(SAM)