PM Gilani, Tajik counterpart discuss bilateral ties       
DUSHANBE (Tajikistan), Nov 24 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and his counterpart from Tajikistan Okil Okilov met here Wednesday and discussed ways and means to further strengthen their bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields for mutual benefit.The two leaders, who met here in the Tajik capital on the sidelines of the 9th SCO Heads of Government Council meeting being hosted by Tajikistan on Thursday, also discussed the situation in the region as well as other matters of regional and international importance.During the meeting which was held here at Dacha (State Guest House), Prime Minister Gilani was assisted by Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Syed Naveed Qamar, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, Pakistan’s Ambassador in Dushanbe Khalid Usman Kaiser and senior officials.
The two Prime Ministers agreed to further strengthen their existing bilateral relations through increased cooperation in diverse fields including trade and economy, energy, infrastructure, transportation and communication.
Prime Minister Gilani thanked the government of Tajikistan for providing humanitarian assistance in the wake of recent devastating floods.
He said the present democratic government in Pakistan attaches great importance to its bilateral relations with Tajikistan and has given new impetus to its ties with the brotherly country.
“We are keen to further strengthen and deepen our relations and look forward to President Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Pakistan next year”, he maintained.
The Prime Minister said the quadrilateral summit in Sochi provided an excellent framework for regional cooperation.
He said Pakistan is glad to witness continuous economic progress under the able leadership of President Emomali Rahmon, adding, Tajikistan has  key role in stability and peace in Afghanistan.