Dushanbe

Tajikistan has strongly condemned the airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 22. The statement, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan was reported by Asiaplus.tj.

In its official declaration, the Tajik Foreign Ministry emphasized that such actions pose a serious threat to both regional and global security, warning they could trigger a large-scale military conflict with dangerous consequences for the Middle East and the wider international community.

“The Republic of Tajikistan, reaffirming its commitment to the principles and norms of international law, expresses deep concern over the sharp escalation of tensions and calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities,” the statement reads.

Dushanbe appealed to the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and other respected international bodies to take urgent and decisive action to prevent further destabilization. The appeal also urged efforts to avert potential environmental and humanitarian disasters that could result from strikes on sensitive nuclear facilities.

The Foreign Ministry underlined that all disagreements and international disputes must be resolved solely through political and diplomatic means, in full accordance with international law and with respect for state sovereignty.

Tajikistan also voiced its support for global efforts to reduce tensions and restore sustainable peace and stability in the Middle East. The statement reflects the country’s broader foreign policy stance centered on non-intervention and adherence to peaceful conflict resolution.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on June 23, 2025)

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Islamabad | Dushanbe 

Tajikistan and Pakistan are strengthening cooperation in disaster prevention and response. This was stated by the Chairman of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense of Tajikistan, Rustam Nazarzoda, at an international conference organized by Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, Avesta.tj reports.

According to the press center of the Committee, the event was held in a video conference format. Participants included representatives from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

Rustam Nazarzoda noted that natural disasters know no borders and emphasized the need for closer cooperation among regional countries to effectively combat natural catastrophes.

The conference was part of a visit by delegations from international organizations to Islamabad, where they visited Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and familiarized themselves with its operations.

Tajikistan and Pakistan agreed to strengthen coordination in early warning systems, experience sharing, and specialist training to minimize the impact of natural disasters.

Read: Tajikistan adopts a law banning hijabs

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on January 9, 2025)

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Dushanbe

Tajikistan, aiming to strengthen its position in the regional transport network, is resuming a large-scale railway project connecting Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan (TAT).

This project, initially conceived in 2013, has gained new momentum thanks to the support of South Korea, Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper wrote.

History of the First Trans-Afghan Railway Corridor

Construction of the first trans-Afghan railway corridor Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan (TAT) began on June 5, 2013, in the Turkmen city of Atamyrat, located 85 km from the Afghan border.

The presidents of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, were present to lay the first track, embedding a capsule with a message for future generations.

However, due to economic and political reasons, the project was later frozen.

Tajikistan-Korea Cooperation – A New Impetus for the Transport Route

The Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan signed an agreement with the Korea International Cooperation Agency to develop the feasibility study (FS) for the Jaloliddini Balkhi-Nizhniy Pyanj railway section.

The cost of the FS development is $4 million, demonstrating the seriousness of both parties’ intentions.

The project involves the construction of a 51-kilometer railway line in Tajikistan, extending to the Afghan border.

Special attention is being paid to creating reliable infrastructure, including the construction of 28 railway bridges to ensure uninterrupted communication between the two countries. The project is expected to take three years, and its completion promises to be a significant event for the region’s transport system.

Maintaining the standard gauge of 1,520 mm, typical for the post-Soviet space and Afghanistan, the new railway will enable efficient cargo transit without the need for additional transshipment or wheelset changes. This solution will significantly enhance the economic efficiency of transportation and make the route more attractive to shippers.

Experts note that the project’s potential return could surpass the development of railway connections in the North-South corridor. Despite TAT’s cargo potential being less than the North-South direction, the unified gauge will ensure more economical operations, guaranteeing the project high profitability in the long term.

As Maria Nikitina, a transport logistics expert, pointed out: “This initiative is not only economically beneficial but also likely aligned with the Russian Federation. Moreover, it’s possible that the United States will welcome the project’s implementation with South Korea’s participation, hoping for a share in this promising enterprise.”

The project’s revival also signals potential shifts in Tajikistan’s foreign policy course concerning Afghanistan.

Despite Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon not officially recognizing the Taliban government that came to power in Kabul in August 2021, economic realities are forcing the country to seek avenues for cooperation.

How the TAT Project Idea Emerged

The idea for this project initially arose during tense relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan when Tashkent used railway blockades as an economic pressure tool against Dushanbe.

In search of alternative routes, Tajikistan found support from Kabul and Ashgabat, and by the end of 2018, construction was planned to be completed. However, improving relations between Tashkent and Dushanbe shifted Tajikistan’s priorities, leading to the project’s postponement.

Sardar Aytakov, an expert on Central Asia, notes the diplomatic complexities that arose from the project’s suspension: “Tajik authorities were not particularly diplomatic in their refusal to implement this project. In September 2018, the Tajik ambassador to Uzbekistan publicly announced the suspension of the TAT project, citing the improvement of relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. This statement puzzled the Turkmen side and led to a cooling of interstate relations.”

Relations between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan began to improve only in 2021 after Emomali Rahmon’s visit to Turkmenistan.

However, the issue of constructing the TAT railway remained unresolved, which continued to affect bilateral relations.

Read: Turkmenistan and Afghanistan to begin implementation of joint railway project

Russian expert on Afghanistan Alexander Knyazev highlights the potential significance of the TAT project in the broader context of regional transport infrastructure: “When combined with the Trans-Afghan railway project Termez–Naibabad–Logar–Kharlachi, which is intended to provide access to the Pakistani ports of Karachi and Gwadar, the Tajikistan–Afghanistan–Turkmenistan project may acquire new strategic importance. If we also consider the possibility of implementing Turkmenistan’s project to build the Turgundi–Herat–Khaf railway, with access to the Iranian ports of Chabahar and Bandar Abbas, Tajikistan could significantly improve its transport position in the future.”

However, the expert warns that without integration with other transport projects within Afghanistan, the significance of the Jaloliddini Balkhi–Nizhniy Pyanj section will be limited. He also emphasizes the need to renegotiate the route of the railway across Afghan territory with the new authorities in Kabul.

The revival of the TAT project opens up new prospects for economic development and regional integration in Central Asia.

However, its successful implementation will require careful diplomatic work, technical expertise, and long-term vision. Tajikistan is on the brink of making important decisions that could significantly impact its role in the regional transport network and its economic well-being.

Read: Prospects of Trans-Afghan railway discussed in Doha and Tashkent

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on August 8, 2024)

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Dushanbe

Tajikistan and Russia are working together to prevent illegal religious teaching among labor migrants, said the Head of the Committee for Religious Affairs, Regulation of Traditions, Celebrations, and Ceremonies of Tajikistan, Sulaimon Davlatzoda, reports Sputnik-Tajikistan.

“Both countries have close cooperation in preventing extremism among labor migrants,” said Davlatzoda.

He noted that labor migrants fall into the trap of extremist groups, encountering their propaganda on the internet. According to him, the current situation requires the cooperation of the relevant structures of Tajikistan and Russia. He pointed out that such interaction is taking place and yielding results.

“The situation requires us to cooperate with the Council of Ulema and other responsible bodies in Russia. Thanks to this, a lot of work has been done by the Committee for Religious Affairs and the Council of Ulema in many large cities of Russia,” stated Davlatzoda.

The head of the committee drew attention to the existence of so-called religious circles for children. He clarified that the education in these circles is free and thus attracts parents. However, it is important to understand that the organizers of such circles have certain goals.

Read: Supreme Court of Tajikistan bans 29 parties, groups and movements

Davlatzoda emphasized that the majority of cases of illegal religious education among Tajik citizens have been identified in Russia. Therefore, the Tajik side is in contact with Russian authorities to resolve the situation as soon as possible. He added that this is in the common interests of Tajikistan and Russia.

The number of Tajik migrants in Russia amounted to more than 2 million people. However, after the terrorist attack in “Crocus City” in Moscow, the attitude towards Tajik migrants changed dramatically, and their number has now significantly decreased.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on July 31, 2024)

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Beijing

China does not have any military bases in Tajikistan or other Central Asian countries, said the official representative of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, in response to the publication of an article in the British newspaper Telegraph, reports Sputnik.

“I am not aware of the situation you mentioned, but I can confidently say that China always adheres to an independent peaceful foreign policy and does not have any military bases in Central Asia,” said the diplomat at a press briefing in response to a question about the Telegraph publication.

This week, the British newspaper Telegraph published material stating that China is building a secret military base in the mountains of Tajikistan.

The publication cites satellite imagery data and reports that the base, located on the site of a former Soviet outpost at an altitude of almost 4,000 meters near the village of Shaymak in the Murghab district of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, has been under construction for almost 10 years.

It is claimed that the secret military base has observation towers, a helicopter pad, and wide access roads for equipment.

The Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan has already stated that it does not have information about the presence of a Chinese military base in the southeast of the republic.

However, in reality, the issue concerns an agreement on the construction of an anti-terrorist base signed between Dushanbe and Beijing back in 2021. About 100 million somoni were allocated for the works. However, it was intended as an anti-terrorist base, and control over it should be exercised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan.

Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, told journalists that there is a base in GBAO near the border with Afghanistan that does not have a military character. According to him, it is intended for the reception of Chinese colleagues.

Related report: China continues to build ‘Secret’ military base in Tajikistan – Telegraph

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on July 12, 2024)

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London

The British newspaper The Telegraph has carried a report about China’s construction of a secret military base in Tajikistan. This publication followed the SCO summit in Astana and the visit of Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

The newspaper notes that the facility has been under construction for 10 years in a hard-to-reach area at an altitude of 13,000 feet or about 3,900 meters above sea level, and that troops from both countries are present at the base. However, the governments of both countries deny this information, according to the newspaper.

According to The Telegraph, China needs a base in Tajikistan:

– Due to the unstable situation in Afghanistan and to “create a forward line of defense” on the Tajikistan border,

– To maintain control over the Uyghurs in Xinjiang,

– To continue cooperation with Dushanbe in the framework of counter-terrorism policy,

– To protect its investments in Tajikistan (currently 40% of the republic’s external debt is owed to China).

The newspaper also notes China’s widespread expansion in Tajikistan: a monopoly in the mining industry, Chinese road infrastructure, Chinese cars, and products in the markets.

For Tajikistan, significant economic dependence on China will sooner or later turn into political and security dependence, according to The Telegraph.

However, the “secret base” itself in GBAO is not such a big secret. An agreement on the construction of a military facility, for which about 100 million somoni (over $9 million) was allocated, was signed between Beijing and Dushanbe in 2021. However, it was conceived as an anti-terrorist base, with control to be exercised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan.

Read: Six trends of the “Great Game” around Central Asia

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on July 11, 2024)

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Dushanbe   

During the official visit of Pakistan Premier to Tajikistan, 9 agreements were signed for enhancing cooperation in various sectors while discussion was held for connecting the two countries by road and rail.

President of Tajikistan held talks with Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif, who arrived in Dushanbe on an official visit, Asiaplus.tj reports.

Following high-level meetings and negotiations, Tajikistan and Pakistan have signed nine new documents on cooperation.

President Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif signed a Joint Statement on the outcomes of Sharif’s first state visit to Tajikistan and an Agreement on Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Additionally, the following agreements were signed:

– Cooperation Program between the ministries of the two countries for 2025-2026;

– Protocol of Intentions for cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan and the Federal Ministry of Maritime Affairs of Pakistan to expand interaction in the field of industrial goods and products import-export;

– Agreement on scientific cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences;

– Roadmap between the Tourism Development Committee of Tajikistan and the Tourism Development Corporation of Pakistan;

– Additional Memorandum between the Civil Aviation Agency of Tajikistan and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Government of Pakistan on air connectivity services;

– Memorandum between Tajik National University and Punjab University (Lahore);

– Memorandum of Cooperation between the Tajikistan Cricket Federation and the Pakistan Cricket Board.

After the signing ceremony, Rahmon and Sharif held a press conference.

Investments, access to ports, and energy

“We consider Pakistan’s trade and economic opportunities, its geostrategic position, and influence in the South Asian region and the Islamic world highly important. Therefore, we are interested in strengthening and expanding our cooperation with fraternal Pakistan,” said Emomali Rahmon at the beginning of the talks involving delegations from both countries.

During the meetings, both in a narrow and expanded format, issues related to the activities of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation and a range of issues related to comprehensive expansion of Tajikistan’s and Pakistan’s trade and economic ties were discussed.

Read: Supreme Court of Tajikistan bans 29 parties, groups and movements

In this context, the parties expressed interest in further expanding links in trade, investments, transportation, energy, various industries including light and food, extraction and processing of minerals, and agriculture.

Furthermore, to expand other aspects of cooperation, it was deemed necessary to hold meetings of joint working groups on oil and gas, energy, a joint council of entrepreneurs, Tajikistan-Pakistan Business Forum, and establish a Joint Council of Companies for freight transport between the two countries.

Discussing cooperation in the energy sector, the parties highlighted the timely implementation of the CASA-1000 project as a real link between the countries of Central and South Asia.

The discussion also covered access to international transport corridors and global ports, especially maritime routes and ports of Pakistan. Attention was paid to the implementation of projects to connect the two countries by road and rail, as well as to establish logistics centers in one of the southern regions of Tajikistan and in northern Pakistan.

Other topics of high-level negotiations included expanding ties in science and education, allocating quotas for students, developing cultural-humanitarian relations, and healthcare.

Read: Tajikistan adopts a law banning hijabs

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on July 2, 2024)

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Dushanbe

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has signed the “Law on Celebrations and Ceremonies,” which bans the wearing of hijabs and other “foreign clothing,” the press service of the President of Tajikistan announced.

“Emomali Rahmon signed 35 laws, including the laws of the Republic of Tajikistan ‘On the Regulation of Celebrations and Ceremonies in the Republic,'” the statement reads.

It is noted that the laws are adopted to protect traditional values and national culture, prevent superstitions and prejudices, as well as excesses and wastefulness in the conduct of celebrations.

The laws are enacted amid reports of fines in Tajikistan for wearing hijabs and requirements for women to wear them as scarves, i.e., without covering the face. Non-compliance with the law incurs a fine. However, the law does not specify which clothing is considered “foreign.”

Read: Supreme Court of Tajikistan bans 29 parties, groups and movements

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on June 21, 2024)

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Dushanbe

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan informs citizens that by court decisions, 29 parties, groups, movements, trends, and associations have been recognized as terrorist and extremist organizations, and their activities are prohibited in the territory of Tajikistan, reports the Khovar news agency.

The websites of the following parties, groups, movements, trends, and associations have been blocked as terrorist and extremist organizations, and the import of their literature is also prohibited:

1. “Islamic Renaissance Party”, 2. “Al-Qaeda” organization, 3. “Islamic Movement of Eastern Turkestan”, 4. “Islamic Party of Turkestan” (formerly “Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan”), 5. “Taliban” movement, 6. “Muslim Brotherhood” organization, 7. “Lashkar-e-Taiba” organization, 8. “Islamic Group” (“Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan”), 9. “Jamaat-e-Tabligh” organization, 10. Religious missionary organization “Sozmoni Tabligot” (“Call to Islam”), 11. “Free Tajikistan” (“Tajikiston Ozod”), 12. “Hizb ut-Tahrir” organization, 13. “Hizb-ut-Tahrir” organization, 14. Religious trend “Salafism”, 15. Society “Ansarulloh”, 16. Public movement “Group 24”, 17. “Islamic State” organization (Islamic State of Iraq and Sham), 18. “Jabhat al-Nusra” (“Jabhat an-Nusra”), 19. “National Alliance of Tajikistan”, 20. “Sacred War” (Al-Jihad, Egyptian Islamic Jihad), 21. Society for Social Reforms (Jamiyat al-Isloh al-Ijtima’i), 22. Society for the Revival of Islamic Heritage (Jamiyat Ikhoyat Turaz al-Islami), 23. “House of the Two Holy” (Al-Haramayn), 24. “Jund al-Sham” (Army of Greater Syria), 25. “Islamic Jihad-Jamaat Mujahideen” organization, 26. Extremist community “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, 27. “Pamir daily news” organization (Pamir DailyNews) or “Pamir news” (Pamir News), 28. Terrorist-extremist organization “Islamic State of the Khorasan Region”, 29. Extremist organization “New Tajikistan 2”

The information notes that in accordance with legislation, the creation and activities of public associations and political parties that propagate racial, national, social, and religious enmity or call for the violent overthrow of the constitutional system and the organization of armed groups are prohibited.

In Tajikistan, the activities of political parties of other states are prohibited, as well as the creation of parties of a national and religious nature, and the financing of political parties by foreign states and organizations, foreign legal entities, and citizens.

Unfortunately, groups and associations appear in society that violate laws, commit a large number of terrorist-extremist crimes, provoke hatred and enmity, sow discord and dissatisfaction among the population, including using the media, thereby obstructing the peaceful life of citizens and public safety.

The creation of terrorist-extremist organizations contradicts the Constitution and other current laws; their goal is to violate the rights and freedoms of citizens, call for the violent overthrow of the constitutional system, and harm sovereignty, territorial integrity, and state security, using the Islamic religion, media, and other social networks.

Read: Tajikistan wanted to “liquidate” Ansarullah with hands of Taliban – Swiss Report

Therefore, in criminal legislation, a number of actions have been recognized as crimes, for which criminal liability and punishment are provided. In particular, Article 307, paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan establishes punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of seven to ten years with the deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of two to five years for organizing the activities of political parties, religious associations, or other organizations, in respect of which a court has issued a final decision on their liquidation or prohibition of activities due to the implementation of extremist activities.

In accordance with paragraph 2 of this article, participation in the activities of political parties, religious associations, or other organizations, in respect of which a court has issued a final decision on their liquidation or prohibition of activities due to the implementation of extremist activities, as well as providing assistance in their activities using mass media, the Internet, or other means (liking, supporting distribution or propaganda, agitation of ideas) is punishable by imprisonment for a term of five to eight years.

Also, in Article 307 clause 4 of the Criminal Code, organizing education or a study group of a religious-extremist nature, as well as leading or participating in such education, regardless of the place of education, is punishable by imprisonment for a term of eight to twelve years.

Part 2 of the mentioned article, for the same offense committed using an official position related to financing such groups, establishes punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of twelve to fifteen years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of five years. Tajikistan, being one of the initiators in the fight against extremism and terrorism, condemns all kinds of calls related to the violation of territorial integrity and state security, the division of unity, and the incitement of religious enmity.

Citizens of the country need to know that everyone is obliged to observe the Constitution and laws, respect the rights, freedoms, honor, and dignity of other people. Ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility. It should be remembered that the rights and freedoms of a person and a citizen are inseparable from the obligations of the individual. In exercising their rights and freedoms, everyone must fulfill certain obligations imposed on them.

Therefore, every citizen is obliged to properly understand the mentioned tasks and not allow their children and loved ones to follow the unhealthy and provocative beliefs (opinions) of these associations, to be deceived by their hostile ideas, propaganda, and agitation, and provocative promises.

Since the views and ideology of such organizations and terrorist-extremist trends have nothing to do with the Islamic religion and Hanafi creed, and the propagandists of these associations and groups, using Islam for their selfish purposes, misinterpret the norms of the Quran and traditions.

It is precisely for the purpose of raising the sense of national pride, piety, and self-awareness of the people, as well as educating the present generation, that the primary duty of citizens should be to study and master the great moral and spiritual heritage.

Every citizen of the country, especially the youth, is obliged and responsible for never, under any circumstances, betraying their homeland, people, and their state. Not to be deceived by the propaganda and agitation of enemies and traitors of the people, it is stated in the commentary to the decisions of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on May 27, 2024)

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Dushanbe

The latest meetings of topographic groups on legal issues of governmental delegations for the demarcation and delimitation of the state border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan took place in the city of Buston, Sughd Region of Tajikistan, Asia Plus reports.

The result of the groups’ work was the agreement on an additional 10.76 km of the Tajik-Kyrgyz state border, announced by the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan (GKNB). The heads of the security services of both countries – Kamchybek Tashiev, the head of the GKNB of Kyrgyzstan, and Saimumin Yatimov, the head of the special services of Tajikistan – were involved in the process of signing the coordination protocol.

During the negotiations between the delegation leaders, discussions focused on the most complex sections of the border, which often lead to armed confrontations.

They instructed the working groups to continue work on determining the border line in the remaining areas.

Following the meeting in Buston, a corresponding protocol was signed.

“The parties will continue work on describing the remaining sections at the next meeting, which will take place on the territory of Kyrgyzstan,” the message says.

Over the past few months, the authorities of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have been actively negotiating to coordinate the state border.

In February, Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon informed the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister, Jeenbek Kulubaev, during a meeting that over the past four months, the two countries had agreed on the draft and working description of the order for 196 km of the state border line.

The total length of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border is 972 kilometers. It was previously reported that all work on delineating the border between the two countries would be completed by March of this year.

The sides’ meetings are held alternately on each other’s territory.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on March 18, 2024)

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