Latest news with #Dushanbe
Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, Tajikistan wrap up counterterrorism drill, hail training and diplomacy gains
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Tajikistan concluded a joint counterterrorism exercise on Saturday, said the military, with Islamabad expressing satisfaction over having met 'all training and military diplomacy objectives.' The two countries have stepped up security collaboration in recent years to combat militancy and cross-border crime. Earlier this year in May, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, in Dushanbe to discuss bilateral strategic cooperation and expressed a resolve to strengthen their counterterrorism partnership and jointly work to prevent human smuggling and other organized crime. 'Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Counter Terrorism Exercise Dosti-II was conducted from 4-9 August 2025 at Fakhrobod Base, Tajikistan,' the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. 'Two combat teams from the Light Commando Battalion, Pakistan Army, and four combat teams from Tajikistan Special Forces participated in the exercise. All training and military diplomacy objectives were achieved successfully.' The exercise concluded with a ceremony attended by Pakistan's Defense Attaché in Tajikistan as chief guest alongside senior Tajik military officials. Troops from both sides 'displayed the highest standards of professional excellence,' ISPR said. The statement informed the training focused on refining counterterrorism drills, procedures and techniques through joint operations. Pakistan and Tajikistan enjoy close bilateral ties, underpinned by trade, energy and connectivity projects such as the CASA-1000 electricity transmission line, which will deliver surplus hydropower from Central Asia to Pakistan. The two countries are also members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Islamabad views Dushanbe as a gateway to the Central Asian market, while Tajikistan sees Pakistan as its route to the Arabian Sea via ports in Karachi and Gwadar.
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Presight signs strategic MoU with the Tajikistan Ministry of Industry and New Technologies
Dushanbe, Tajikistan – Presight, a leading global AI and big data analytics company, has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan to establish strategic collaboration in the field of artificial intelligence. The signing ceremony took place during the Tajikistan-UAE Business Forum in Dushanbe and was attended by UAE Minister of Economy H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and UAE Ambassador to Kazakhstan H.E. Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Ariqi. The MoU outlines a strategic collaboration to support the growth of Tajikistan's AI ecosystem. The Ministry was represented by Sherali Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, and Presight was represented by Maxat Koshumbayev, regional director of Central Asia operations. Sherali Kabir, Minister of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, said: 'We are excited to engage with Presight on furthering Tajikistan's AI ecosystem. Our nation has pioneered the full supply chain of AI—from green AI compute to frontier synthetic data applications and introduction of AI in the school curriculum. We view Presight as a strategic AI partner for Area AI, our global AI technopark, with plans for joint AI deployments in smart cities, industry and infrastructure.' Commenting on the collaboration, Maxat Koshumbayev commended Tajikistan for their digital transformation vision: 'Presight is proud to support Tajikistan's national AI strategy leveraging Presight's global expertise through innovation, infrastructure and talent development. We believe this collaboration will bring lasting value to the country's digital future and contribute to regional technological development.' Under the MoU, the parties intend to cooperate in areas including the piloting of AI-powered government and enterprise solutions in key sectors such as smart cities, energy, and cybersecurity. The MoU also includes the creation of a joint working group to coordinate pilot projects, support the transfer of technologies, and explore AI-driven innovation across the country. In addition, the parties will explore AI-based operational solutions for critical infrastructure such as the Dushanbe International Airport. The collaboration is a testament to the growing economic and technological ties between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates, and reflects Presight's commitment to advancing digital transformation across Central Asia. About Presight Presight is an ADX-listed public company with Abu Dhabi-based G42 as its majority shareholder and is a leading global AI and big data analytics company. It combines big data, analytics, and AI expertise to serve every sector, of every scale, to create business and positive societal impact. Presight excels at all-source data interpretation to support insight-driven decision-making that shapes policy and creates safer, healthier, happier, and more sustainable societies. Today, through its range of AI-driven products and solutions, Presight is bringing Applied Intelligence to the private and public sector, enabling them to realize their AI strategy and ambitions faster.
Times of Oman
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Tajikistan begins deporting Afghan refugees before deadline ends, over 150 sent back: Report
Dushanbe: The Tajikistan government has reportedly started forceful deportations of Afghan refugees ahead of the 15-day deadline set earlier this month, with more than 150 individuals rounded up from public areas and sent back to Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported on Thursday. Those deported include men, women, elderly people, and minors. In several cases, family members have been separated, children deported while parents remain behind, or spouses taken while the rest of the family is left in Tajikistan. According to Khaama Press, a majority of the deportees are legally recognised refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and hold valid refugee cards. Many were also in the process of being resettled to Canada and had active asylum applications under review. The reason behind the sudden crackdown has not been officially explained by Tajik authorities. However, some analysts believe the move may be linked to recent geopolitical shifts, especially Russia's formal recognition of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Tajikistan, which has long hosted anti-Taliban voices and Afghan opposition leaders, might now be aligning with Moscow's position, the report said. Observers suggest that the presence of Afghan anti-Taliban groups within Tajikistan could be a reason the government is pushing them out. The move is being seen as a political realignment rather than a matter of domestic security. Most Afghan refugees in Tajikistan are settled in Wahdat, a district located approximately 20 km east of the capital, Dushanbe. Wahdat, formerly known as Kofarnihon, is densely populated and lacks proper infrastructure, making it challenging to support large displaced populations. The sudden nature of the deportations has left families in shock and fear. Activists and refugee support groups have raised alarm, describing the situation as "chaotic and heartbreaking." Several online petitions have now been launched, urging the Canadian government to fast-track the resettlement of vulnerable Afghan families whose cases are already in process, Khaama Press reported. Despite the involvement of the UN and other global humanitarian organisations in Tajikistan, their role has appeared limited. According to Khaama Press, the Tajik government has shown little interest in respecting international refugee agreements or responding to concerns raised by these groups.
Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Migrant can stay in UK because he does not want to shave
An asylum seeker from Tajikistan has been allowed to stay in the UK because he would have had to shave his beard off if he was deported. The unnamed man won an appeal after arguing that he could be tortured and have his facial hair forcibly removed if he was sent back home. The Home Office tried to deport him back to the Central Asian state, but an asylum court has now ruled that he may be entitled to international protection in the UK because of his beard. In Tajikistan, beards are unofficially banned by the Government and hundreds of thousands of men have been arrested for having one in the last decade. Men in the country with beards are arrested, shaved against their will and have their fingerprints taken by police. It is part of a government campaign to try to prevent men from becoming radicalised and joining Islamic extremist terror groups. The man's claim was initially dismissed but he appealed and secured a further hearing of his case after it was ruled that being forced to have his hair removed amounted to persecution rather than being the result of social pressures. The case, disclosed in court papers, is the latest example uncovered by The Telegraph where illegal migrants or convicted foreign criminals have used human rights laws to try to halt their deportations. Ministers are proposing to raise the threshold to make it harder for judges to grant the right to remain based on Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which protects the right to a family life, and Article 3, which protects against torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. After his claim was initially rejected, the Tajik man, who was granted anonymity, appealed on the basis that the judge at the first-tier tribunal made 'contradictory' findings about his fear of persecution. He claimed that the tribunal had not properly assessed whether he would shave his beard because of 'social pressures' or because of a 'fear of being persecuted'. The Tajik man said he would shave off his beard if he was sent back but only because he would have 'no option' as he would be at risk of persecution. Parminder Saini, the Deputy Judge of the Upper Tribunal, said: 'The [First-tier Tribunal] judge has failed to assess whether the [Tajik man] is shaving off his beard because of 'social pressures' or due to a 'fear of being persecuted'. 'We find that this represents inadequate and incomplete reasoning in relation to the key issue of why the [Tajik man] is willing to shave his beard on return to Tajikistan. 'If he wears a beard out of religious conviction but will conform for reasons of securing his safety, he may be entitled to international protection. 'If, however, he would conform because of social or other pressures, or simply because wearing a beard is not an act of faith for him, and not because of the risk of persecution, then he may not be a refugee.' He added: 'We also note that the judge has failed to consider the objective risk to the [Tajik man] by reference to the background material before him. '[His lawyer] took us to several examples... which pointed to torture and mistreatment remaining widespread, arbitrary arrest being commonplace, thousands of Tajik men having their beards forcibly shaved and being fingerprinted and recorded by the authorities etc. 'Thus, these examples of background material before the judge were relevant to, and should have informed, his assessment of whether the [Tajik man] was at risk on return as well as the likelihood of whether [he] would feel compelled to shave due to fear, but they find no mention in the decision.' Judge Saini ruled that the previous decision was set aside and that his case must be heard again at the First-tier Tribunal.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC on ABC 8's Muhammad Naimov draws 'extra energy' fighting closer to Tajikistan
Muhammad Naimov is proud to be one the few fighters from Tajikistan in UFC, but believes many more will be there soon. Currently, Naimov (12-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) is just one of four fighters from the Central Asian country. Nurullo Aliev, Muin Gafurov and Loik Radzhabov are the other three Tajik representatives on the UFC roster. Advertisement "Three years ago, four years ago, five years ago, all Tajik people, we all watch UFC," Naimov said at the UFC on ABC 8 media day. "... UFC for us, it was like something different. It was really hard to get to UFC, and in one year, four Tajik people get signed by UFC. So, it's always hard to shoulder and show up, but I always telling myself, I'm fighting for myself first of all. Second thing I represent my name, my family, and then my country. "So, if you think like this, you're not going to perform good: 'All Tajik people watching me.' No, this is energy for me. I really like it. I know Saturday night in Tajikistan, all people around Tajikistan like in villages, in my motherland Kulob city and also in Dushanbe – everybody in restaurants, cafes, cinema, everywhere they're gonna watch the fight. That's like extra energy for me." In his second appearance of 2025, Naimov faces Bogdan Grad (15-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the main card opener of UFC on ABC 8 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+), which takes place Saturday at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. It's the closest Naimov has been to home for a fight since signing with the UFC. He expects to see many people from his home country in the crowd, and hopes his performance will help fuel the upcoming generation of fighters. "MMA level is growing up every day," Naimov said. "Day by day, month by month, it's getting better in Tajikistan. We got very tough young generation in amateur in (IMMAF). They're becoming world champions, Europe champions, and also Asian champions. It's like great expereince before they start pro career. Advertisement "We are just four guys – four Tajik fighters from Tajikistan in UFC now. That's how you know people love us, respect us, they always show up for us." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Baku: Muhammad Naimov draws 'extra energy' fighting close to home
