KHUJAND, September 27, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon who has visited the northern city of Taboshar for the first time has offered to rename it Istiqlol (Independence).

The Taboshar deputy mayor, Bakhtiyor Yoqubov, says the president visited the city sports complex.  According to him, 2.8 million somoni have been spent for major repairs to the complex that includes a 700-seat stadium, swimming pool, wrestling hall and hotel.

Emomali Rahmon has also got acquainted with activities of a number of local enterprises and donated 100 computers and 20 printers to local schools and a minivan to the city outpatients’ clinic.

He also held a meeting with local population in the Bobojon Ghafurov Square.  He ordered the municipal government to create more jobs and fully tackle the water supply problem in the city.

“During the meeting with the population, the president offered to rename Taboshar Istiqlol,” the deputy mayor said.

Taboshar is a city in Sughd province, located in the northern part of the Bobojonghafruov district.  Taboshar is a city of provincial subordination, administratively subordinated to the provincial capital of Khujand.  The population of Taboshar is now estimated at 7,000.