Pakistan, Tajikistan Move to Finalise CASA-1000 Power Deal

Pakistan and Tajikistan have moved closer to settling the remaining commercial and operational issues linked to the CASA-1000 electricity project, with both sides agreeing to convene a Joint Working Group meeting in Istanbul later this month. The development emerged after the 8th session of the Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation concluded in Dushanbe.

The meeting was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Tajikistan’s Minister for Energy and Water Resources Juma Daler Shofaqir. Officials from both countries reviewed progress on energy cooperation, regional connectivity, trade, agriculture, transport and other areas of bilateral engagement.

CASA-1000 remains central to Islamabad’s regional energy strategy because it is designed to move surplus electricity from Central Asia to South Asia. For Pakistan, the project carries added importance as the country continues to search for reliable and affordable energy sources while trying to reduce pressure on its domestic power system.

According to the Economic Affairs Division, the two sides issued a joint statement appreciating the progress achieved under the project and underlining the need to complete pending work for timely operationalisation. Minister Leghari also stressed active follow-up on decisions taken during the commission session and called for turning technical-level understandings into practical outcomes.

The talks went beyond electricity cooperation and included a wider trade and investment agenda. Pakistan and Tajikistan agreed to promote business delegations, business-to-business meetings and online commercial interactions as part of efforts to expand bilateral trade. Both sides also discussed sharing information on tariffs, regulations and priority sectors.

A major economic target discussed during the session was a three-year roadmap to raise bilateral trade to 200 million dollars. Officials also welcomed progress on a memorandum of understanding between Tajikistan’s export agency and Pakistan’s Trade Development Authority, a step expected to support stronger commercial links between the two markets.

The Preferential Trade Agreement was also reviewed and described as an important mechanism for improving trade relations. Both governments agreed to continue negotiations for its early finalisation, while also exploring cooperation in government-to-government procurement through a proposed arrangement involving Tajikistan’s Agency for State Material Reserves and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan.

Energy and investment cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. Tajikistan expressed interest in working with Pakistani state-linked energy companies, including Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, to explore opportunities in its oil and gas exploration sector. Technical training for Tajik professionals through Pakistan’s energy institutions was also supported.

Agriculture, direct flights and visa facilitation were also highlighted as areas requiring faster progress. Both countries discussed cooperation in high-yield crop varieties, seasonal agricultural products, phytosanitary standards and veterinary coordination. The next steps will depend on how quickly the Istanbul working group can resolve pending CASA-1000 matters and how effectively both governments implement the wider economic commitments made in Dushanbe.