As the prime minister arrived at the Qasr-e-Millat, the Tajik president welcomed him followed by the guard of honour by the contingents of the Tajik Armed Forces.

The national anthems of both countries were played as the prime minister stood at the salute dias.

Later, both Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Emomali Rahmon introduced their respective delegations to each other.

The prime minister’s delegation comprises Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi.

President Emomali Rahmon emphasised cordial brotherly relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

Both the leaders discussed the ways to strengthen cooperation in different fields between the two countries.

PM Shehbaz invited Tajikistan to invest in different sectors of Pakistan, improving regional connectivity and linkages between the people of the two countries.

Earlier, as the prime minister landed at Dushanbe airport, he was received by Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda, Energy Minister Daler Juma, Deputy Foreign Minister Farrukh Sgarifzoda, Tajik Ambassador in Islamabad Yousuf Sharifzoda, Pakistan Ambassador in Dushanbe Saeed Sarwar and senior diplomatic officers.

In a statement, the information ministry stated that the premier would attend the signing ceremonies of different bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in “diverse areas of cooperation”.

A joint press conference of the two leaders is expected upon the conclusion of the ceremony, the ministry added. It further said that the Tajik president would host a dinner in honour of PM Shehbaz and his delegation at Qasr-i-Nowruz.