ISLAMABAD, Aug 4: Culture has been an important ingredient in the development of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan as the two countries enjoy centuries-old ties, said Saidbeg Saidov, Ambassador of Tajikistan.

He was presiding over a discussion at the Islamabad Cultural Forum here on Friday.

The ambassador agreed with Prof Khwaja Masud’s proposal that developing land and air communication should be a paramount task in building close and strategic relationship between the two countries and said that Panj Paya or Istaklal tunnel would shorten the distance between the two countries.

Referring to the discussions between Tajik President Imam Ali Rakhmonov and President Gen Pervez Musharraf on issues relating to the development of bilateral relations, the ambassador said the two presidents had also exchanged views on export of electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan.

He also noted that agreement had been reached for transmission of Tajikistan electricity to Pakistan via Afghanistan.

The two presidents have also supported peace, reconciliation in Afghanistan, fight against international terrorism and Pakistan’s efforts for establishment of peace in South Asia.

“Security in the neighbourhood also goes into the making of strategic relationships”, ambassador Saidov said, referring to the security in Afghanistan.

The ambassador said visits of the two presidents to the respective countries had “deepened our bilateral ties”. He mentioned the forthcoming cultural events such as the commemoration of 50 years of independence of Tajikistan, 270th year of Aryan centenary, as well as sixth years celebration of Farsiphonie.

He said Pakistan had been invited to take part in these celebrations, and in fact Dr Ahmad Hasan Dani is working on events in which Pakistan would celebrate. Pakistani poets — Iqbal and Faiz — were well regarded in Tajikistan, the ambassador said speaking in Persian, and ending his address with Hafiz Sherazi’s ghazal.

Prof Khwaja Masud speaking about his visit to that country had envisioned that Tajikistan would be something like Kashmir, a heaven on earth, as the proverb goes but found Tajikistan much more beautiful.

“I did not see one ugly face of both man and woman. They were all very handsome, well built, sturdy and very proud of their country.

Prof Masud attributed all these qualities to the growth of literacy in a country where 99 per cent of men and women were all well read and because of this factor the growth rate was eight to 10 per cent.