DUSHANBE, September 28, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- On Tuesday September 28, Shukurjon Zuhurov, Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament), received Munir Merali, Resident Representative  of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Tajikistan.

Muhammadato Sultonov, a spokesman for lower house of Tajik parliament, said Tajik speaker had expressed gratitude for disinterested aid provided by AKDN to Tajikistan’s population during the civil war.   “Tajik speaker also noted that assistance provided by AKDN to promote enhancement of Tajikistan’s education and social care sectors as well as development of the country’s economy is tangible,” the spokesman noted.

In the course of the talks, the sides also considered issues related to AKDN’s support for creation of new jobs in Tajikistan, development of tourism in the country and implementation of projects for attraction of foreign investments for development of Tajikistan’s economy.

Mr. Merali noted that that AKDN planned to open English and computer training course in Dushanbe and implement a number of education and social projects.

The Aga Khan Development Network was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, 49th Hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Ismaili Muslims.  It is a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East.  The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion.

In Tajikistan, the AKDN activities include the Mountain Societies Development Program (MSDSP), which currently implements rural development projects in various regions of Tajikistan.  Economic development projects include a hydroelectric plant (Pamir 1) that supplies Gorno Badakhshan with electricity; a mobile phone provider that cover 90 percent of the country; and a hotel being built in Dushanbe.  The largest project underway is the creation of a campus of the University of Central Asia, in Khorog, which will have a broad socioeconomic impact on the entire region and beyond.