On September 28, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, respected Emomali Rahmon, held a meeting with the leaders and activists of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region in the city of Khorugh.
At the outset, President Emomali Rahmon congratulated the patriotic and hardworking residents of the region on the occasion of the national celebration of the 35th anniversary of State Independence.
Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon also paid tribute to the memory of the distinguished son of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, former Chairman of the region, the late Alisher Mirzonabot, and once again expressed his deepest condolences to his parents, loved ones, and relatives.
It was emphasized that the late Alisher Mirzonabot was among those public servants for whom loyalty to the state and nation and a strong sense of responsibility in the performance of his duties were guiding principles throughout his life.
It was noted that many facilities constructed in the cities and districts of the region in honour of the 35th anniversary of State Independence, some of which were inaugurated today, were implemented through his personal patriotic efforts.
President Emomali Rahmon expressed sincere gratitude to the parents of the late Alisher Mirzonabot for raising such a devoted and patriotic son.
The President instructed that Secondary School No. 6 in the city of Khorugh be named after the late Alisher Mirzonabot.
During his speech, the President recalled the achievements of the period of independence and described them as the significant results of the constructive and development-oriented work of the country's proud people.
It was emphasized that, as a result of the constant attention and consistent efforts of the state and the Government of the country, profound economic and social transformations have taken place in the region over the 35 years of independence.
It was noted that the region's gross regional product has increased 93-fold over the past 25 years, reaching 3 billion somoni in 2025. In 1991, the population of the region was only 172,000, whereas today it has exceeded 236,000, an increase of 64,000 compared with the beginning of the period of independence.
The President stated that during the period of independence, more than 120,000 new jobs had been created in the region, while 27,000 citizens had received free vocational and handicraft training, more than 60 percent of whom were women.
The leadership of the region, its cities and districts, as well as the relevant ministries and agencies, were instructed to make more effective use of existing opportunities, ensure the development of the private sector, further accelerate economic growth, and give priority attention to job creation, increasing incomes, and improving the living standards of the population.
Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon stated that during the period of independence, more than 26 billion somoni had been allocated from all sources of financing for the socio-economic development of the region. Of this amount, 9.3 billion somoni had been allocated from the state budget alone, ensuring regular financing of the region's social and economic needs.
It was reported that the Government of the country had implemented 41 major state investment projects in the region worth more than 4 billion somoni, while the implementation of another 13 projects with a total value of 5.5 billion somoni is currently underway.
It was emphasized that since 2008, the Directorate for the Construction of Government Facilities under the Executive Office of the President has constructed and commissioned 123 social and administrative facilities in the cities and districts of the region, with a total value of 863 million somoni. The construction of another 28 facilities worth more than 1 billion somoni is currently underway.
According to President Emomali Rahmon, during the years of independence, 3,765 hectares of household land plots were allocated to more than 37,000 families in the region in order to improve living conditions and facilitate residential construction.
President Emomali Rahmon stated that, in preparation for the 35th anniversary of State Independence, the construction and reconstruction of 1,362 facilities had been planned in the cities and districts of the region, while 1,545 facilities have been constructed and commissioned to date, representing 113 percent of the plan.
President Emomali Rahmon expressed sincere gratitude to the patriotic and hardworking residents of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists for their high sense of patriotism, initiative, and valuable contribution to the development and prosperity of the homeland.
During the speech, Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon gave a detailed analysis of the development of vital sectors, including industry, energy, promising areas, state programmes, and the main strategic priorities of the Government of the country.
It was reported that 202 industrial enterprises are currently operating in the region, while more than 190 new production enterprises have been established during the period of independence.
The relevant ministries and agencies were instructed by the President, together with the leaders of the cities and districts, to intensify efforts to attract domestic and foreign investment.
It was emphasized that strengthening industrial capacity, developing entrepreneurship, and improving the standard and quality of life of the population are linked to the development of the energy sector.
It was noted that, overall, more than 3.4 billion somoni had been allocated for the development of the region's energy sector during the years of independence. During this period, 134 major state investment projects worth a total of 2.3 billion somoni were implemented, while the implementation of another 16 energy projects with a total value of 400 million somoni is ongoing.
"At the initiative of the Government of the country, the first major power plant of the period of independence — Pamir-1 — was constructed, followed by the construction and commissioning of dozens of small and medium-sized hydropower plants, solar power plants, electricity transmission lines, and modern substations," Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon stated.
It was also reported that in recent years new hydropower and solar power plants had been commissioned in the districts of Murghob, Shughnon, Darvoz, and Rushon, while the Sebzor Hydropower Plant had also commenced operation.
The relevant ministries and agencies, as well as the executive bodies of state authority of the region and its cities and districts, were instructed to take measures to accelerate the construction of new energy capacities, modernize electricity networks, and expand the use of renewable energy sources.
During the analysis of the development of the agricultural sector, it was emphasized that as a result of the dedicated work of agricultural workers in the region, agricultural production reached 1.131 billion somoni in 2025, which is 14 times higher than in 2000.
Taking into account the region's natural and climatic conditions for the development of various sectors, the ministries and agencies and the executive bodies of state authority of the region, cities, and districts were instructed by the President to take measures to ensure the effective use of every piece of agricultural land.
"The overcoming of the communication deadlock and the construction of a modern network of motor roads are among the major achievements of the period of independence for the region," President Emomali Rahmon stated.
It was reported that 13 state investment projects worth a total of 2.3 billion somoni had been implemented to develop the region's transport infrastructure, resulting in the construction and commissioning of 266 kilometres of roads, 32 bridges, and 2 tunnels. As a result of these projects, important sections of the international Dushanbe — Kulob — Kalaikhum — Khorugh — Murghob — Kulma highway, including the Murghob — Kulma, Shkev — Zighar, and Shokhon — Zighar roads, as well as other important roads and bridges, were reconstructed in accordance with international requirements.
It was deemed necessary for the responsible authorities to take concrete measures to ensure the timely and high-quality implementation of road construction projects, as well as the reconstruction and maintenance of roads and bridges.
During his speech, President Emomali Rahmon also analyzed the development of other sectors of the national economy in the region and assigned specific tasks to the responsible authorities for the implementation of measures in these areas, including education, healthcare, culture, youth and women, tourism, and other sectors.
The President emphasized that the Government of the country had implemented effective measures during the period of independence to strengthen the material and technical foundations of the region's education sector and improve the quality of teaching and upbringing. Over the past twenty years alone, more than 2.3 billion somoni had been allocated from the state budget for the development of education in the region.
It was reported that during the years of independence, funding for healthcare in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region had steadily increased, with its budget reaching more than 206 million somoni in 2026, which is 22 percent higher than in the previous year. Over the past twenty years, more than 1.2 billion somoni had been allocated from the state budget for the development of healthcare in the region. During this period, more than 280 healthcare facilities had been constructed and modernized in the region at a cost of 370 million somoni and commissioned.
At the conclusion of his speech, President Emomali Rahmon expressed confidence that the patriotic and hardworking people of the region would continue to work with a strong sense of responsibility, pride in the state and national statehood, and dedication for the prosperity and strengthening of independent Tajikistan.
Following President Emomali Rahmon's speech at the meeting with the leaders and activists of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, teachers Gulzoda Mumtoza and Fayziddin Alizoda, as well as veteran Ismoil Orifsho, spoke about the achievements of the period of independence, including the development of education, the contribution of the Leader of the Nation to the prosperity of this part of the country, ensuring a dignified standard of living, and other issues.
They expressed their gratitude to the youth-oriented leader, respected Emomali Rahmon, for his growing care and support.
