TAPI a flagship project of great significance for both countries
Mejlis of Turkmenistan Chairperson Akja Nurberdiyeva along with a delegation called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the PM House Wednesday.
Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister said that frequent exchanges of parliamentary delegations will prove to be enormously beneficial for strengthening democracy in the two brotherly countries. The prime minister further said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoy friendly relations, but there are huge opportunities to further expand the scope of the bilateral relationship; especially enhancing the economic ties.
The prime minister said that Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is a flagship project of great significance for the two countries as well as the region. The early realisation of this gas pipeline project will advance our shared goals of energy security and regional prosperity.
“Apart from helping Pakistan in the fulfillment of its gas requirements, the project will integrate the region economically and politically,” said the prime minister.
“We wish to see close collaboration between our parliamentarians, parliamentary committees and parliamentary friendship groups,” the prime minister said, and added, “I convey my warmest congratulations to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and the brotherly people of Turkmenistan on the occasion of 25th anniversary of your country’s independence. Also convey my utmost regards to the president for his good wishes,” said the prime minister.
Akja Nurberdiyeva thanked the prime minister for extending warm welcome to the visiting delegation in Pakistan.
“Let me convey the most sincere wishes and congratulations of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow on your successful surgery,” said the chairperson. She further said the president is personally supervising each project to ensure quality and timely completion.
Turkmenistan Deputy Minister of Energy Tachmuhammet Gulamuhmmededov informed the participants of the meeting that the TAPI gas pipeline project will be completed and become operational by December 2019. He further added that 15km of pipeline has already been laid while geological and technical work is currently underway for another 80km pipeline.
The visiting delegation also included Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Maksat Babayev, Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Atadjan N. Movlamov, and other parliamentarians.
The meeting was also attended by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Muhammad Ayaz Sadiq, Special Advisor to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, MNA Shakila Luqman and other senior officials.
