Ans: Pakistan’s Relations with Central Asian Countries
The Central Asian Countries include Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan,
Torkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. They all became independent
after the disintegration or the Soviet Union in 1991. Pakistan took deep
interest in resolving the problems of these countries. These countries are
situated far from sea, when these countries became independent, their
foreign exchange was nominal. Pakistan started trade with them for
enhancing their foreign exchange. Their requirements of food items were
fulfilled. Pakistan signed many agreements and helped them to boost their
industrial sector
. Following are the details of Pakistan’s ties with these countries:
1. Azerbaijan:
signed between the two countries in the field of electronics in 1994. Many
Pakistan established relations with Azerbaijan in 1992. An agreement was
other educational institutions. Thus many students from Pakistan are
students from Azerbaijan are studying in the universities of Pakistan and
studying in the educational institutions of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is rich in oil
two countries have signed an agreement in the field of defense. The
and gas. Pakistan signed an agreement to help exploring oil in 2001. The
exchange of trade and cultural delegations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan
happens occasionally.
2. Uzbekistan:
Prime Ministers of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Benazir
Bhutto, visited Uzbekistan. The tomb of Imam Bukhari (RA) is situated in the
same country. The Muslims have a great respect for him. Mian Muhammad
tomb during his visit there. The President of this country has also visited
Nawaz Sharif donated 50,000/- dollars for the repair of Imam Bukhari’s (RA)
Pakistan in 1992. This country is also rich in oil, gas and coal. An agreement
Pakistan through a pipeline. The Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan visited
has already been signed between the two countries to provide gas to
Pakistan in 2019. On this occasion, the two countries agreed to increase
trade and investment.
3. Tajikistan:
Tajikistan visited Pakistan in 1994. This country has abundant electricity.
Pakistan has invested with this country for getting electricity through hydel
Tajikistan is the closest Central Asian country to Pakistan. President of
power. A trade delegation from Pakistan visited Tajikistan in 2015 and was
Suessed to take measures to bring down the tax on trade between the two
countries.
4. Turkmenistan:
The President of Turkmenistan had also visited Pakistan in 1994. Many
pacts have been signed between two countries for development in different
fields. Pakistan exports food items to this country. A stone-laying ceremony
was held in 2015 in Turkmenistan to commemorate the start of construction
of the project of “The Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India gas
Pipeline (TAPI). This project is still pending.
5. Kazakhstan:
This is the biggest country among the Central Asian countries. The Prime
Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, visited Kazakhstan in
1990 and signed different agreements for promoting of trade. The President
of this country also visited Pakistan in 1992. Pakistan has signed many.
agreements with Kazakhstan for providing a cement plant and for setting up
different industries there. On the occasion of Prime Minister of Pakistan
visited Kazakhstan in 2015, the both countries agreed to promote bilateral
relation by cooperation in the fields of trade, energy, education and air, links.
In the present age, Kazakhstan is an important trade market for Pakistani
goods.
6. Kyrgyzstan:
There are vast reserves of uranium in Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan is an atomic
power which has a deep interest in furthering ties with this country. Prime
Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto visited Kyrgyzstan. An agreement was
signed between both countries for trading facilities through road. In 2019,
Prime Minister of Pakistan has addressed the session of The Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan
and emphasized to take comprehensive measures for eradication of poverty
and promotion of bilateral trade. On the occasion of this visit, Prime Minister
of Pakistan and the President of Kyrgyzstan emphasized to enhance the air
links between the two countries.