PM reaches Turkmenistan for two-day visit on Thursday

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday arrived in Mary city of Turkmenistan on a two-day visit to participate in the link-up ceremony of the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, electricity transmission lines, and fibre optics.

“During his official visit, he would be accompanied by Energy State Minister Jam Kamal Khan,” said the PM’s office in a press statement on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the PM House in a press release announced that Abbasi was received by the Turkmenistan Cabinet of Ministers, deputy chairman.

The groundbreaking ceremonies of the project will be jointly attended by PM Abbasi, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Malikgulyevich Berdimuhamedov, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar.

The first leg of the ceremony will be held in Serhetabat, Turkmenistan.

During his stay, the prime minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the Turkmenistan president and will also attend an art and culture exhibition, showcasing cultural performances and artistic pieces from the four member countries which will be followed by a link-up ceremony where he would make a statement along with leaders of other member states.

He will then proceed to Herat, Afghanistan, on the same day to attend the Afghan leg of the groundbreaking ceremony. The prime minister will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Afghan president after the ceremony.