Tajikistan to export 1,000MW power to Pakistan under CASA project: Envoy

ISLAMABAD: Tajikistan would export 1000MW hydel electricity to Pakistan under Central Asia South Asia (CASA 1000) project through a 750 kilometre long transmission line by year 2018 with an estimated cost of US dollars 1160 million.

Ambassador of Tajikistan Sherali Saidamir Jononove said this here on Friday while talking to APP about Pakistan Tajikistan bilateral relations with special reference to CASA 1000 project.

Talking about Pakistan Tajikistan bilateral relations the ambassador said that Pakistan is one of the first among those countries who recognised Tajikistan as an independent country and both the brotherly countries are enjoying cordial relations since then.

Speaking about details of the project the ambassador said that the said transmission line of 500 KV would also be utilised for transmitting more than 300MW hydel electricity to Pakistan from another state of Central Asia Kyrgyzstan.

To a question about the implementation of this project the Ambassador Sherali said that feasibility report had already been completed and working on the laying of transmission line from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan would begin from May this year.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will also participate in the transmission line laying ceremony scheduled to be held in Tajikistan in May this year, he said. About capacity of export of hydel electricity of Tajikistan, he said that only Tajikistan could export more than 5000MW electricity to Pakistan through hydel projects especially in the summer season.

Working on another transmission line of same capacity of 500KV from Tajikistan to Pakistan via Wakhan Strip bordering Afghanistan would also begin shortly after the working of CASA 1000 MW transmission line, the ambassador said.

Regarding current status of the project the ambassador said that a Joint Commission of both the countries was working on the implementation of CASA 1000 MW project and its upcoming meeting would be held during next week in Dushanbe.

When asked about financing of the project the ambassador said that a total estimated cost of the project was 1160 million US dollars as per the feasibility study finalised with the support of World Bank.

Financing from IDA (World Bank), Islamic Development Bank, Arab Group and other donors was under consideration. A Multi Donor Trust Fund was also being established for this project, he added.

Responding to a question about the details of recently held visit of President of Tajikistan Imomali Rahmon to Pakistan, he said the visit of President of Tajikistan remained successful and many MOUs and agreements were signed to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The visit of president of Tajikistan opened a number of new avenues of cooperation to further strengthen bilateral trade, economic, cultural and historic relations between the two brotherly countries, he said.

Tajikistan is a blessed country with resources of approximately 50000MW electricity due to unique networking of about 1000 rivers and lakes having 80 per cent mountainous terrain of the total area with Tien Shan and Pamir Ranges besides huge network of world known glaciers, he said.

When asked about the price of the electricity, the ambassador said that it will be from Hydel project namely Roghun Hydro Power Project which has a total capacity of 3600MW and price will be very reasonable even nominal basically it would be a gift for Pakistani fraternity from Tajikistan .

When asked about future of economic ties between the two countries, he said that Pakistan was enjoying very important geo-strategic location in the region and Tajikistan would take benefit from this opportunity and would be a partner of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Trade volume was getting momentum between the two countries day by day and it would be increased to 500 million US dollars within next two years and exhibitions were being planned to achieve this goal, the ambassador stated.

During the visit of president of Tajikistan leadership of both the countries agreed on the importance of air connectivity for the promotion of people-to-people contacts, economic relations and tourism.

To this purpose Pakistan had conveyed decision to permit Somon Air of Tajikistan to operate on Dushanbe Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Faisalabad or Quetta sectors which was welcomed by the president of Tajikistan.

Negotiations between the Tajik Airlines Somon Air and Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan are underway to finalise modalities in this regard to start flight operation between the two countries, the ambassador said.

Responding to a question about China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the ambassador said that Tajikistan would not only support Pakistan for this project but was fully ready to be a partner of this important trade and economic connectivity project of the region.

Central Asian States would take benefit from this China Pakistan Economic Corridor for boosting economic activities as using CPEC as a bridge between Central Asia and world through Gwadar port, the ambassador expressed the hope.