Doha: President Asif Ali Zardari has invited Tajikistan to explore new avenues of trade and connectivity through Pakistan, including the possibility of restoration of direct flights.

President Asif Ali Zardari extended the invitation while meeting President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday.

President Zardari said Pakistan greatly values its multifaceted relationship with Tajikistan, rooted in shared history, culture, and linguistic affinity.

He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, energy, defence, and people-to-people exchanges.

The President noted that the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed in 2024 reflects the growing depth of ties between the two countries.

He welcomed the resumption of work on the CASA-1000 project, terming it a flagship initiative for shared prosperity.

President Zardari also commended the successful Dosti-II joint military exercise held in August this year and reaffirmed Pakistan's readiness to assist Tajikistan in defence cooperation and capacity building.

The two leaders also shared perspectives on regional and global issues of common concern.

The President of Tajikistan invited President Zardari to visit Tajikistan, which the President accepted.

The meeting was also attended by First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan's Ambassador to Qatar.

Meanwhile Pakistan and Iraq have reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly ties between the two countries.

The understanding to this effect reached during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and his Iraqi counterpart, Dr. Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Iraq relations.

Discussing trade and investment, both sides underlined the importance of enhancing economic linkages through increased business-to-business interactions and facilitative visa regimes.

President Zardari appreciated Iraq's cooperation in facilitating Pakistani Zaireen and acknowledged the valuable contribution of the Pakistani community in Iraq, which serves as a bridge of goodwill between the two nations.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional peace, stability, and cooperation, and agreed to maintain regular high-level contacts to advance bilateral relations.

The Iraqi President again invited President Zardari to visit Iraq. President Zardari accepted the invitation and conveyed that he would undertake the visit soon after the Iraqi parliamentary elections later this month.

First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan's Ambassador to Qatar were also present during the meeting.