Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Sunday expressed the hope that work on much-anticipated and important energy project, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas project will be started by the end of current year.
Talking to newsmen at a local hotel after inaugurating a day-long international conference on “Turkmenistan’s policy of Permanent Neutrality”, Sartaj Aziz said an important meeting of all the stakeholder of TAPI project was held recently where most of the issues had been settled.
He said leading financing agency had agreed to provide finance for the important project and the issue of pricing would be finalised very soon. Replying to a question, the Advisor said due to law and order situation in Afghanistan, the project was delayed. Now the Afghanistan government had ensured the safety and security of the project, therefore, it was hoped that the work on this important gas project would be started by the end of this year, he added.
Replying to a question about peace process in Afghanistan, the advisor said no timeline could be given as far as reconciliation and resolution of the conflict was concerned. He, however, said that the process was moving forward.
Answering to another question, Sartaj Aziz said recent tension at the level of foreign affairs ministries of Pakistan and India would not effect the overall dialogue process between the two countries.
He said Pakistan was waiting for invitation from Indian side, so that its foreign secretary could visit India to formally resume the dialogue process.
On the dispute of water between Pakistan and India, the Advisor said there was a mechanism under the Indus-Water Treaty to settle the water dispute between the two countries.
He said Pakistan had asked details from India regarding construction of new dams at run of the river to determine the violation of the treaty. He said in case of any dispute, Pakistan could take up the matter to arbitrator or to the international courts.
Earlier, while addressing the seminar Sartaj Aziz said that connectivity of Central Asia with South Asia through rail and road would be game changer for the improvement of development in the region.
He said Turkmenistan, having vast range of natural resources especially gas and electricity and while adopting its policy of “permanent neutrality”, could play a key role in development of the region.
Sartaj Aziz emphasized the need to explore new avenues for promoting people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Turkmenistan especially with introduction of liberal visa regime, creating more opportunities for promoting trade and economic activities.
He said promoting trade and economic activities would play an important role in strengthening people-to-people contact and enhancing peace, development and prosperity in the region.
Appreciating the adoption of ‘Permanent Neutrality’ by Turkmenistan some 20 years ago, Sartaj Aziz said it had played an important role in enhancing and promoting the peaceful image of Turkmenistan in region and global level.
He said Pakistan and Turkmenistan had close relations and it was among the first countries which opened Turkmenistan consulate to establish diplomatic ties. He also appreciated the efforts of Turkmenistan for initiating much important energy project and expressed the hoped that the issue of energy shortage in the region would be resolved after its implementation.
Ambassador at Large of Turkmenistan Sapar Berdiniyazov in his key note address on this occasion said it was March 15, 1995, when the former president of Turkmenistan announced the policy of “Permanent Neutrality” while addressing a special function here in Islamabad which had been strictly observed and adopted by all the successive governments of Turkmenistan.
He said Turkmenistan had proved with its actions and participation in the affairs of the international community that its policy of “Permanent Neutrality” was to ensure peace, progress and prosperity in the region and in the world.
Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov speaking on the occasion said Pakistan and Turkmenistan were linked in very close and strong bonds of brotherhood which was being strengthened day by day.
He said efforts were being made to promote people-to-people contacts besides improving trade and economic ties between the two countries. Pakistan’s first ambassador to Turkmenistan Tariq Osman Hyder, President Society of Civilization Pakistan Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali Qureshi and President Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies Farhat Asif also spoke on this occasion.
A large number of people from different walks of life, especially diplomats, attended the function which was organised jointly by Embassy of Turkmenistan, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Society of Civilization Pakistan to celebrate 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s status of Permanent Neutrality.