Tajik envoy underscores need for restoring Karachi’s glory for investment

KARACHI: Ambassador of Tajikistan Sharifzoda Yusuf, while highlighting the glorious history of Karachi which was a completely peaceful and secure city for foreign tourists in the 80s and 90s, stressed upon the need to fully restore the former glory of Karachi to attract the same number of tourists and even more not only from Tajikistan but also from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia.

Exchanging views at a meeting during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), the envoy added that the influx of tourists from Tajikistan, along with other countries in the region was a significant source of revenue in the 90s with Tajik tourists spending an estimated USD 10 to 15 million in Karachi.

While highlighting his experience in Karachi in 1992, when he attended a course at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), the ambassador reminisced about a time when Karachi was thriving — a bustling metropolis where commercial activity in Saddar continued until the early morning hours and the entire city had no security issues at all.

“At that point in time, Karachi had become a magnet for tourists from Central Asia, including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia. In the 90s, direct flights from these countries to Karachi were frequent, bringing visitors who spent millions on Karachi’s high-quality textiles, leather goods, and other products,” he added.

He stated that the relations between Tajikistan and Pakistan have always been marked by historical brotherhood and the deep cultural and historical connections between the two nations are reflected in shared sites of significance, including the mausoleums of Sufi saints in Karachi and the Makli Graveyard in Badin, where many Tajik ancestors were laid to rest.

He was of the view that Pakistan has much to offer Tajikistan and its neighbours, including world-class textiles, seafood, and other high-quality products.

“Until 2003, 85 percent of Tajiks wore Pakistani-made clothing and shoes,” he said while stressing the need to restore this trade.

He particularly underscored Pakistan’s competitive edge in seafood, including lobsters, king prawns, and tiger prawns, which could be exported to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. The ambassador encouraged investors to explore these markets, which are highly receptive to quality Pakistani products.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024