DUSHANBE (Associated Press of Pakistan) – The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, along with his Tajik counterpart Imomali Rehmon on Thursday laid foundation stone of Pakistan embassy complex in the prime locality of capital of Tajikistan.

Amjad Hussain B. Sial Ambassador of Pakistan to Dushunbe

The ceremony was also attended by Defence Minister Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain, Chairman Board of Investment Salim H. Mandviwala, Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, Asifa Bhutto Zardari, Mayor of Dushanbe, Pakistan Ambassador Amjad Sial, foreign diplomats and high officials.

In March this year the President of Tajikistan Imomali Rehmon during his official visit to Pakistan performed the ground breaking of Tajikistan’s embassy in Islamabad. Both the countries have provided free land in their respective capitals for the embassies.

Speaking at the ceremony, the President said the foundation of the fraternal relations was laid by our ancestors centuries ago. He said Pakistan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with independent Tajikistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Tajik President Imomali Rehmon said, the new embassy complex would further the diplomatic relations between the two countries. He emphasized on strengthening the art and cultural ties between the two countries.

Pakistan-Tajikistan relations are date back when both nations were part of the Persian Empire and both countries have the same cultural traditions in common especially because of deep Iranian roots. There are at least 1.2 million Tajiks living in Pakistan. Tajiks have historically, travelled to the region Pakistan as technocrats, bureaucrats, soldiers, traders, scientists, architects, teachers, theologians and Sufis during the Mughal Empire and settled permanently. There are many shrines doted throughout Pakistan in honour of noted Tajik noblemen. Many Pakistanis claim Tajik ancestry. In recent years, many Tajiks from Tajikistan have also 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.