ISLAMABAD: A private airline from Tajikistan launched its flight operation to Pakistan on Thursday by transporting 14 passengers from Dushanbe to Islamabad amid efforts to enhance trade and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Central Asian Republics.
Pakistan’s push for enhanced regional connectivity with Central Asia aims to unlock mutual economic opportunities, particularly in energy, trade and infrastructure, by capitalizing on its strategic geographic position.
In response, Central Asian nations, recognizing the potential to access broader markets through Pakistani ports and diversify their economic partnerships, have shown a growing interest in strengthening trade and transport links with Pakistan.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency, the first flight of Tajikistan’s Somon Air received a traditional cannon salute by fire tenders from the Civil Aviation Authority.
“The flight was handled by the Shaheen Airport Services, a subsidiary of the Pakistan Air Force,” it reported. “A cake-cutting ceremony was also held on the occasion.”
APP said the Somon Air flight departed from Islamabad to Dushanbe later in the afternoon with 52 passengers on board.
“The launch of Somon Air’s flights will facilitate direct travel between Islamabad and Dushanbe, saving travel time,” it added.
The flight will operate once a week in the initial stage to facilitate people traveling between the two countries.
Pakistan’s official logistics and freight transportation organization also dispatched the first locally produced potato consignment to Tajikistan earlier this year in April, creating a major export opening for the country to the landlocked region.
Tajik airline launches flights to Pakistan amid push for trade and connectivity with Central Asia
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Tajik airline launches flights to Pakistan amid push for trade and connectivity with Central Asia
- The flight will operate once a week in the initial stage to facilitate people traveling between the two countries
- Pakistan also created an export opening to Dushanbe by exporting the first consignment of potatoes in April
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
