Pakistan has agreed to facilitate landlocked Tajikistan to import more than 100,000 tonnes of oil from Kuwait via Torkham and also extend surplus wheat to Dushanbe.
Tajikistan is currently engaged in talks with Kuwait for import of 100,000 tonnes of crude oil in the first phase and gradually increase it to 1-2 million tonnes in few years.
President Emomali Rahmonov, who is visiting Kuwait now a days, dispatched a special delegation to request Pakistan provide services for the oil movement including a refinery and transportation facilities.
Yesterday Minister of State for Reserves of Tajikistan Noor Muhammad Akhmedov and Tajik Ambassador in Pakistan Jononov Sherali had first round of talks with Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Mohammad Asif, who is chairperson of the Joint Ministerial Commission. The delegation would also hold talks with ministers for commerce and petroleum on Tuesday before flying back.
The sources said they also requested to facilitate setting up of an oil refinery near Karachi where crude oil imported from Kuwait could be processed. On a question, the visiting minister was also reported to have informed Mr Asif that main requirements for Tajikistan would be diesel and petrol while remaining products could be used in Pakistan or re-exported.
