DUSHANBE: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday held several meetings with foreign leaders during his visit to the Tajikistan capital, where he arrived to attend the 20th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State (SCO-CHS).
According to a statement issued by Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier met Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. The meeting “focused on closed collaboration in areas of mutual interest,” the state,emt added.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI meets H.E. Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus at Dushanbe on the side-lines of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.#PMIKvisitsTajikistan#PMIKatSCOSummit pic.twitter.com/9pF4zpTsHz
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) September 16, 2021
President Lukashenko presented the Prime Minister with souvenirs from his country, the statement added. The prime minister met Iran President Ebrahim Raisi as well, the PM Office said. Prime Minister Imran Khan also met Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan at Dushanbe.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI meets H.E. Ebrahim Raisi, President of Iran at Dushanbe.#PMIKvisitsTajikistan#PMIKatSCOSummit pic.twitter.com/bwGf9TL1P0
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) September 16, 2021
Meeting with Kazakhstan president
The premier also held a bilateral meeting with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and discussed key regional and international issues.
“The leaders affirmed the commitment to enhance Pakistan-Kazakhstan relations in diverse fields particularly trade, investment and transportation links,” a statement issued in this regard stated.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI had a bilateral meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (@TokayevKZ) of Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the SCO Council of Heads of State meeting in Dushanbe today. #PMIKvisitsTajikistan#PMIKatSCOSummit pic.twitter.com/MDdT9StbuA
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) September 16, 2021
The statement further added the prime minister underlined that Pakistan resolves to comprehensively upgrade engagement with Central Asian countries through its “Vision Central Asia” policy.
The premier also emphasised the importance of connectivity and Pakistan’s “pivotal position in providing the shortest access route to the sea. He highlighted the significance of the Trans-Afghan railway project connecting Termez-Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul-Jalalabad-Peshawar.
According to the statement, the prime minister also elaborated his vision of socio-economic development and shifting country’s priority from geo-politics to geo-economics.
On Afghanistan, the PM underscored the importance of peace and stability in the country for Pakistan and the region. He stressed that the international community must “remain engaged to support the Afghan people, to address urgent humanitarian needs”.
The two leaders agreed to increase the frequency of high-level political exchanges and the premier renewed the invitation to President Tokayev to visit Pakistan. President Tokayev, in turn, extended an invitation to the prime minister to visit Kazakhstan.
PM arrives in Dushanbe
Earlier in the day, PM Imran Khan was accorded a red carpet welcome by Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda who arrived at the airport to receive him.
The premier is accompanied by a high-level ministerial delegation, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
The SCO summit is the first meeting of the heads of states since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul and all eyes will be on the Afghan representative at the meeting. Afghanistan has an observer status and has been striving for full membership of the organisation.
