TAPI, A Flagship Project For Regional Integration: PM

(@FahadShabbir)

TAPI, a flagship project for regional integration: PM

ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Augst,2016) : Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Wednesday said Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is a flagship project of great significance for both the countries as well as for the whole region.

The earliest realization of this Gas Pipeline project would advance the shared goals of energy security and regional prosperity, he said. The Prime Minister said "Apart from helping Pakistan in the fulfillment of its gas requirements, the project will integrate the region economically and politically." The Prime Minister was talking to Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan Mrs.

Akja Nurberdiyeva who along with a delegation called on him at the PM House, said a press release. Prime Minister Sharif said that frequent exchanges of parliamentary delegations would prove enormously beneficial for strengthening of democracy in the two brotherly countries. He further said that Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoyed friendly relations, but there were huge opportunities to further expand the scope of bilateral relationship, especially the economic ties. "We wish to see close collaboration between our parliamentarians, parliamentary committees and parliamentary friendship groups.

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," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister also conveyed his utmost regards to the President for his good wishes. 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 the President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow on your successful surgery", the press release quoted the Chairperson as saying.

She further said the President was personally supervising each project to ensure quality and timely completion. Tachmuhammet Gulamuhmmededov, Deputy Minister of Energy Turkmenistan, informed the participants of the meeting that the TAPI gas pipeline project would be completed and made operational by December 2019.

He further added that 15km pipeline had already been laid while geological and technical work was currently underway for another 80km pipeline. The visiting delegation also included Maksat Babayev, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, Atadjan N. Movlamov, Ambassador to Pakistan and other parliamentarians.

The meeting was also attended by Sardar Muhammad Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker National Assembly, Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs, Shakila Luqman MNA and other senior officials.