ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will visit Tajikistan on next Thursday (May 12) to inaugurate installation of transmission line for supply of 1000 megawatt electricity to Pakistan.
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will also be present on the occasion, this was announced here Wednesday by the Tajik ambassador to Pakistan Sherali S. Jononov at a news conference.
This, he said will be a major breakthrough in the relations of the two countries. The work on transmission will be completed within a period of two years with cost of Dollar 1.2 billion.
All arrangements including necessary financial resources have been made to undertake the project forthwith. To a question, the ambassador said that the Afghan government has already provided surety for the safety of the transmission line.
As per an agreement, Tajikistan would export 1000MW hydel electricity to Pakistan under Central Asia South Asia (CASA 1000) project through a 750 kilometre long transmission line by year 2018.
Ambassador Sherali Saidamir Jononove termed Pakistan Tajikistan bilateral relations as excellent one that the meet aspirations of their people.
Talking about Pakistan Tajikistan bilateral relations the ambassador said that Pakistan is one of the first among those countries who recognised Tajikistan as an independent country and both the brotherly countries are enjoying cordial relations since then.
About capacity of export of hydel electricity of Tajikistan, he said that only Tajikistan could export more than 5000MW electricity toPakistan through hydel projects especially in the summer season.
Working on another transmission line of same capacity of 500KV from Tajikistan to Pakistan via Wakhan Strip bordering Afghanistan would also begin shortly after the working of CASA 1000 MW transmission line, the ambassador said.
Tajikistan is a blessed country with resources of approximately 50000MW electricity due to unique networking of about 1000 rivers and lakes having 80 per cent mountainous terrain of the total area with Tien Shan and Pamir Ranges besides huge network of world known glaciers, he said.
When asked about the price of the electricity, the ambassador said that it will be from Hydel project namely Roghun Hydro Power Project which has a total capacity of 3600MW and price will be very reasonable even nominal basically it would be a gift for Pakistani fraternity from Tajikistan .
About the future of economic ties between the two countries, he said that Pakistan was enjoying very important geo-strategic location in the region and Tajikistan would take benefit from this opportunity and would be a partner of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Trade volume was getting momentum between the two countries day by day and it would be increased to 500 million US dollars within next two years and exhibitions were being planned to achieve this goal, the ambassador stated.