Tajikistan via Gilgit: Aleem underscores need for direct land corridor

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan floated an idea to establish a direct land corridor from Pakistan to Tajikistan via Gilgit to bolster economic ties between the two countries.

The minister’s proposal came during his meeting with the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir, here on Tuesday. Both of them held extensive discussions on enhancing bilateral relations, regional land connectivity, and trade cooperation.

During the meeting, both sides emphasised the need to adapt to evolving regional dynamics through effective strategies. The Tajik ambassador also proposed that Pakistan consider offering special concessional tariffs to Central Asian states to expand the volume of bilateral trade.

While highlighting the regional security situation, Abdul Aleem Khan issued a strong condemnation of terrorism entering Pakistan from Afghanistan, termed such conduct as unacceptable and detrimental to regional peace and stability.

The minister remarked that by acting as a proxy for India, Afghanistan has demonstrated an obstructive stance that negatively impacts not only Pakistan but also the broader Central Asian region.

He reaffirmed that significant growth in international trade is contingent upon improving communication and transport infrastructure, noting that enhancing trade activities with Central Asian States would prove instrumental for Pakistan’s economic stability.

Sharifzoda Yusuf Toir expressed the keen interest of Tajikistan’s 15 million people in developing closer cooperation with their 250 million brothers and sisters in Pakistan. He highlighted that the establishment of new trade routes would open unprecedented avenues for economic activity and prosperity across the region. The ambassador also extended a formal invitation to Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan to visit Tajikistan, which the minister accepted, expressing his willingness to undertake the visit in the near future to provide practical shape to the proposed areas of cooperation.

The meeting concluded with a mutual resolve to modernise trade routes and strengthen bilateral ties to achieve sustainable development. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to making Pak-Tajik cooperation more effective, ensuring that improved connectivity leads to shared prosperity for both nations and the wider region.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026