ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Tajikistan have concluded the third edition of their bilateral counterterrorism exercise, “Dosti-III,” the Pakistani military’s media wing said, with the drill focused on sharpening operational readiness and enhancing combat capabilities.
The exercise, which began on Oct. 26, was conducted in northwestern Pakistan at the Special Operations School in Cherat hill station. The Pakistani military said the maneuvers were aimed at refining operational drills, sharing counterterror experiences, and strengthening combat skills through mutual learning and the exchange of best practices.
“The exercise reflects the longstanding military cooperation between Pakistan and Tajikistan and reaffirms the resolve of both countries to further strengthen bilateral defense ties,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement.
The two countries have increased security collaboration in recent years to combat militancy and cross-border crime. They carried out the second edition of the Dosti exercise in August 2025 in Tajikistan.
Pakistan and Tajikistan have close bilateral ties, supported by trade, energy, and connectivity projects such as the CASA-1000 electricity transmission line, which is intended to transmit 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.