Exclusive Interview with KM Kasuri, Ambassador-at-Large
By Tariq Saeedi

IN an exclusive interview Thursday, Pakistan's Ambassador-at-Large highlighted the measures his country has taken to bring about economic, energy and transportation integration with the Central Asian region. He told that Pakistan would soon start importing electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. He also informed that the first road caravan would leave via the Karakoram Highway by the end of this year to travel to China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, Pakistan's Ambassador-at-Large and a veteran politician best known for his bold stance and deep insight on vital issues, explained the foreign policy objectives of Pakistan toward Central Asia.

He told that the Trans Afghan Pipeline was proceeding according to the schedule and Pakistan Railways had completed feasibility study of Chaman-Kandahar section for laying railway tracks between Pakistan and Turkmenistan through Afghanistan.

Kasuri also told that Pakistan would participate at the highest level in the forthcoming ECO summit in Dushanbe.

Here is the complete transcript of his interview:

Q: Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan, said that Pakistan would be situated in South Asia but it would be facing toward Central Asia. How do you interpret this vision in the light of the prevailing political and economic conditions in the South and Central Asian region?

Kasuri: Pakistan’s links to Central Asia go back to ancient times. The historical movement of people between Central Asia and South Asia has contributed to Pakistan’s ethnic and cultural outlook. These ties have gathered strength since the independence of the Central Asian Republics. Pakistan was among the first few countries to recognize these states and establish diplomatic Missions there. We are keen to augment our ties and, true to the vision of Allama Iqbal, build a strong edifice of lasting friendship and cooperation.

Q: What is the place of Central Asia in the overall foreign policy objectives of Pakistan?

Kasuri: The centuries old ties of shared culture and geographic proximity as well as growing potential for a multi-dimensional cooperation give Central Asia a place of prominence in Pakistan’s foreign policy. This finds ample reflection in our exchanges of high level visits with these brotherly countries.

A number of Agreements have been signed covering such areas as trade and tourism, cultural and economic cooperation. We have developed institutionalized arrangement for that purpose. Joint Economic Commissions (JECs) have been established with all the Central Asian States. These take important decisions to promote cooperation in the economic, commercial and related areas of cooperation.

Under a Special Technical Assistance Programme (STAP) initiated in 1992-3 Pakistan provides training facilities, which are fully funded. The programme includes courses ranging from English language, banking and accountancy to diplomacy.

Q: Despite cultural, economic and religious links that go deep into the past, why have Pakistan and the Central Asian region not been able to tap the full potential of mutual political and economic cooperation?

Kasuri: Pakistan’s relations with the Central Asian Republics have made good progress during the past few years. We would like to sustain it and further increase its pith and pace. We see brighter prospects ahead. The CAR’s access to sea which is the shortest through Pakistan, will be further increased when Gawadar Port comes on line alongside Karachi. We are also giving priority to road and rail links and related facilities for a more effective and mutually beneficial access to Central Asia. Air services to Tashkent and Almaty have been already resumed. Similar services to other parts of the region are under active consideration. We believe this process would receive a significant boost from improvement in conditions in Afghanistan, which are already underway.

Q: There have been various proposals, at the highest level, to establish a trade and communication corridor between Pakistan and Central Asia through Afghanistan. This includes repair/rebuild of Chaman-Kandahar-Herat-Kushka road, fiber optic link and railway connection between Chaman and Kandahar. What progress has been made so far and what are the factors hindering speedy implementation of this idea?

Kasuri: We are pursuing development of transport and communications network linking Pakistan to Central Asia. The laying of railway tracks from Turkmenistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan is an important part of it. Our Ministry of Railways has completed feasibility study of Chaman-Kandahar rail project. Its report will be discussed in the next meeting of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission which will be held in Islamabad shortly.

The quadrilateral agreement between Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, effective from 15 May 2004, provides transit trade facility through Karakoram Highway. The first caravan from Pakistan is expected to use this route later this year. The completion of Murghab Kulma road from Tajikistan to China linking by Karakoram highway to Pakistan is also a welcome development. Once operationalized, it will boost the transit trade between Pakistan and the Central Asia.

Q: What kind of Energy Cooperation does Pakistan visualize with the Central Asian region?

The Caspian region is endowed with vast hydrocarbon reserves. The export of these energy resources is an important priority of the regional states. Pakistan, lying on the most economical transport route, can play a very positive role in this regard. We do not need gas at the moment but have plans for our future needs. We can facilitate export of Central Asian oil and gas to South Asia, Southeast Asia and beyond. The oil and gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and onward to India wail benefit all the three countries. It would indeed be a sound investment in the future of our peoples.

Q: What is the latest position on the Trans-Afghan Pipeline (TAP) project that promises to transport Turkmen natural gas to South Asia? Besides the obvious economic benefits, what impact would the project have on the region?

Kasuri: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan signed an agreement in December 2002 for a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan via Afghanistan to Pakistan. The estimated cost would be US $ 2 billion. The Asian Development Bank is the lead coordinating partner. It has, in addition to financial and technical assistance, played an important role in integrating efforts to realize the project.

Seven sessions of he Steering Committee on TAP Gas Pipeline Project have been held so far. The major issues being dealt with are the situation in Afghanistan, which, we hope, will continue improving; the feasibility study commissioned by the ADB and a few related technical issues. Once this process has been completed successfully, actual implementation of the project will become easier. We are keen to have it started as early as possible.

Q: What other avenues of energy cooperation are available between Pakistan and Central Asia?

Kasuri: The Central Asian states, in particular Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, have immense potential for producing hydropower. Tajikistan could be the world’s third largest producer of hydropower after the USA and Russia. Tajikistan being the closest to Pakistan among all the Central Asian Republics, we can benefit from its hydroelectric potential more easily. We are working on proposals for that purpose. Meanwhile, we have signed an agreement for import of electricity from Kyrgyzstan through Tajikistan and Afghanistan. It would be linked with our national grid at Terbella. We know the laying of transmission lines will not be easy, given the harsh terrain and severe weather conditions. However, we are determined to pursue it and, God willing, will overcome these odds.

Q: Why is ECO little more than a dead horse despite good intentions from all participants? Is there any way to transform ECO to something like EC or NAFTA?

Kasuri: I do not think ECO is a “dead horse” or has been a failure. It may not have lived up to its expectations. Yet it has made considerable progress in the trade, transport and energy sectors. The second ECO Commerce Ministers’ Meeting held in Islamabad in July 2003 approved the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA). The agreement envisages reduction of tariffs up to 15 percent over a period of eight years (15 years in case of Afghanistan) on at least 80 percent of goods on tariff lines. Para-tariff and Non-tariff Barriers would be eliminated in a period of two years. Implementation of ECOTA would pave the way for economic integration of the region. In September 2004 the ECO heads of state/government will meet in Dushanbe. New strategies and plans are expected to be adopted to make the Organization more effective.

Q: What kind of helping or hindering role does Iran play as far as Pakistan’s relations with Central Asian region are concerned?

Kasuri: We perceive Iran as a partner, not competitor. We are both equally keen to play a positive role in the region’s development. We believe our efforts should promote the common goal of regional peace and stability, progress and development,

Q: How does Pakistan see itself vis-à-vis some power players in the Central Asian region such as the United States, Russia, China, Turkey and Iran?

Kasuri: Pakistan’s geographic location confers on it a special role in Central Asia. We provide the shortest land and air links to the Central Asian Republics (CARs). Karachi is the nearest port city for these countries. Dushanbe is only one-hour’s flight from Islamabad. In addition, Pakistan offers such essential services as transport, banking, insurance, business, trade, joint ventures, expertise and international contacts to contribute to the economic prosperity of Central Asia. I have no doubt that Pakistan’s role and relations with the Central Asian states will gather further strength and substance in the days and months ahead.

Q: In near future are there any plans for a state visit at the highest level to strengthen Pakistan’s relations with the Central Asian region?

Kasuri: Exchange of high level visits has been an important aspect of relations between Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics. These have contributed to better understanding and closer cooperation. Pakistan wishes to keep up the momentum. The forthcoming ECO summit scheduled for September 2004 in Dushanbe will provide a good opportunity for the Heads of State and Government to meet. Bilateral meetings on the sidelines offer a closer focus on bilateral relations.

Q: Any other comments you may like to make.

Kasuri: I would like to express my best wishes for the government and people of Turkmenistan. I wish them continued peace, progress and prosperity. The many commonalities that we share in history and heritage, geography and culture, provde a firm basis for our friendship. I am confident of a bright future for our relations. We shall spare no efforts to ensure they grow from strength to strength to the mutual advantage of our two peoples.●

The writer is Ashgabat, Turkmenistan-based journalist, noted analyst and the Editor of a regional news agency, News Central Asia Inc. (nCa) He is also a regular contributor to 'Pakistan Times.'
E-Mail: webmaster@newscentralasia.com

© 2004 Tariq Saeedi/nCa