Ambassador Irfan Ahmed meets Tajik ministers to boost economic, trade cooperation

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st May, 2026) Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Irfan Ahmed, held a series of high-level meetings with senior Tajik Ministers to discuss the bilateral cooperation in labor mobility, economic development, and trade, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to deepening their strategic partnership.

During a meeting with Tajikistan’s Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment, Soleha Kholmahmadzoda, the two sides discussed avenues to expand collaboration in manpower exchange, skills development, and employment facilitation.

The discussions underscored the importance of structured frameworks to enable the legal and efficient movement of skilled and semi-skilled workers between the two countries.

Ambassador Ahmed highlighted Pakistan’s growing pool of trained human resources and emphasized the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in addressing labor market needs, said a release issued here on Friday.

Both sides agreed to explore mechanisms for enhancing vocational training, certification alignment, and institutional linkages to support workforce mobility.

The Tajik minister welcomed Pakistan’s interest and expressed confidence that strengthened cooperation in the labor sector would contribute positively to economic growth and people-to-people connectivity. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to advance practical initiatives aimed at facilitating employment opportunities and skills enhancement.

In a separate engagement, Ambassador Ahmed met with Tajikistan’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Abdurahmonzoda Abdurahmon Safarali, to discuss ways to boost bilateral trade and economic ties.

The talks focused on expanding cooperation in key sectors, including investment, industrial development, transport connectivity, and joint ventures.

Both sides noted the untapped potential in trade between Pakistan and Tajikistan and stressed the need for proactive measures to increase bilateral trade volume.

Particular emphasis was placed on promoting collaboration in pharmaceuticals and textiles, sectors where Pakistan has established expertise and capacity.

The discussion also covered opportunities for Pakistani businesses to invest in Tajikistan’s free economic zones, with a view to fostering joint ventures and industrial partnerships. Ambassador Ahmed encouraged Tajik authorities to facilitate business-to-business interactions and provide an enabling environment for foreign investors.

Tajik Minister Abdurahmonzoda Safarali acknowledged Pakistan’s interest and reiterated Tajikistan’s commitment to creating favorable conditions for trade and investment.

He highlighted the importance of improved transport and logistics links in enhancing regional connectivity and trade efficiency.

Both meetings reflected a shared vision to strengthen economic integration and diversify areas of cooperation.

The engagements are part of ongoing efforts by Pakistan and Tajikistan to build a robust and multifaceted partnership, leveraging their geographic proximity and complementary economic strengths.

Ambassador Ahmed reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with Tajikistan to translate these discussions into tangible outcomes.

He emphasized that enhanced cooperation in labor, trade, and industry would not only benefit both nations but also contribute to broader regional stability and prosperity.

The meetings concluded on a positive note, with both sides agreeing to maintain close coordination and follow up on the identified areas of cooperation through institutional channels.