Ashgabat, Islamabad to fast-track gas pipeline project

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Ashgabat and Islamabad have agreed to speed up implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

Once completed, the ambitious project will allow the Central Asian state to supply natural gas to Pakistan and India via Afghanistan, boosting regional economic activity.

At a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik and Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov agreed on the need for fast-tracking the project.

In a statement, the Ministry of Energy’s Petroleum Division said Pakistan and Turkmenistan were working to expedite the gas pipeline project.

“TAPI pipeline project will lower energy costs, which can boost industrial growth, create jobs and foster economic development,” Malik said during the meeting.

The visiting foreign minister expressed appreciation for the warm welcome extended to his delegation by the Pakistani authorities. He arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Meredov promised: “Together we will chalk out a roadmap for cooperation between both countries.” The meeting was also attended by the CEO of TAPI Pipeline Company Limited.

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