National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz
Sharif on Wednesday said Pakistan was committed to the early
completion of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India
(TAPI) gas pipeline project, considering it a new chapter in
economic collaboration and greater regional integration with
Central Asia.
In a one-on-one meeting with the President of Turkmenistan
Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov here at the PM House, the Prime
Minister said Pakistan was ready to provide any assistance to
expedite the implementation process of TAPI and help minimize the
project cost.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan viewed TAPI not only as a
gas pipeline project, but as a precursor to making it a trade and
transit corridor as well.
He said such corridor could comprise gas pipeline, road,
electricity transmission and fiber optic lines besides economic
zones connecting Pakistan with Turkmenistan.
Sharif said it was essential for the TAPI members to work
strenuously for the implementation of the project at the earliest as it
would help in integrating the four member states by linking energy-
rich Turkmenistan with energy-starved South Asia.
He recalled attending the ground-breaking ceremony of TAPI gas
pipeline project at Mary, Turkmenistan in December last year.
Sharif said connectivity was the key to regional integration
and the realization of full economic potential for Central Asia.
He suggested that Pakistan and Turkmenistan could be connected
through railway corridor connecting Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and
Iran.
The Prime Minister welcomed Turkmenistan’s offer for export of
1000 mega watt electricity to Pakistan and signing of tripartite MoU
during his visit to Turkmenistan last December.
Nawaz Sharif stressed the need for greater cooperation in the
fields of trade, energy, agriculture, education, science and
technology, infrastructure and transportation.
He said Pakistan looked towards Turkmenistan for future energy
security and offered Turkmenistan to take advantage of Pakistani
ports for its exports and imports.
The Prime Minister said the bilateral trade of US$25.11 needed
to be increased and stressed the need for facilitating business
visas and relaxing visa regime for the further promotion of economic
relations.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sharif and President Gurbanguly
Berdimuhamadov led delegation-level talks of their respective sides.
The two sides also discussed prospects of cooperation in
diverse fields including defence and security, counter-terrorism,
education and science and technology.
The Pakistan side included Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence
Minister Khwaja Asif, Commerce Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir,
Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, PM’s Special Assistant on
Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi, National Security Advisor Nasser Khan
Janjua and Ambassador to Turkmenistan Dr Abdul Malik.
The Turkmen side included Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov,
Deputy Chairman of the cabinet of ministers Yagshigeldi Kakayev and
Minister of Finance Muhammetguly Muhammedov.