Pakistan–Tajikistan relations

Pakistan-Tajikistan relations

Pakistan	Tajikistan

Pakistan–Tajikistan relations are the foreign relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan. Relations between the two states were established when the republic of Tajikistan became independent following the collapse of the USSR. Trade and cooperation has steadily grown between the two nations, with several summits being held on how to improve bilateral trade. In March 2008 Said Saidbaig, the Tajik Ambassador, announced that his country would be able to export cheap electricity to Pakistan and Iran.

Main article: Tajiks in Pakistan

The two countries are only 16 kilometres (10 mi) apart at their closest point and there are at least 1.2 million Tajiks living in Pakistan. In recent years, many Tajiks from Tajikistan have settled in Pakistan due to the economic conditions prevalent in their home country, many have settled in the northern city of Ishkuman. In 1979, with the invasion by the Soviet Union of Afghanistan, a large number of Tajik refugees from that country came and settled throughout Pakistan. Exact numbers are difficult to ascertain as many don't have official identity cards or are counted as being Chitrali or Gilgiti in official census figures. There also large number of Tajiks from Afghanistan that have settled in Pakistan permanently. Many Tajiks refugees from Tajikistan lived in Pakistan and some of them returned to Tajikistan.

See also

• Foreign relations of Pakistan
• Tajiks in Pakistan