Pakistani Minister in Turkmenistan for Trade, Economic,Industrial, Agri Cooperation – What about TAPI ?

Tazeen Akhtar

Energy is the life line at this time for Pakistanis as they are overburdened with the heaviest bills of electricity, fuel gas and highly inflated prices of petroleum but it is very unfortunate to note that energy projects and agreements have not been prioritized in last decade long period of time. It is matter of known fact that all projects that can provide cheap energy to Pakistanis are in doldrums for many years. TAPI, CASA-1000 , supply from Iran are three projects that can change the scene totally in Pakistan but ………………….

Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India pipeline TAPI is a real game changer in all respects; cheap fuel and electricity, connectivity, security, peace as three countries that have disputes and reservations about one another would be connected in the energy corridor that is necessary for all.

It is heartening to note that after many visits by TAPI officials to Pakistan for the early implementation of this project, now Minister of Industry and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain is in  Turkmenistan on 3-day official visit. Lets see what comes out as the result of this visit.

Pak-Turkmen Sign Joint Implementation Plan for the Expedited Implementation of the TAPI Gas Pipeline Project

During the visit, the delegation will meet the President of Turkmenistan, Sardar Berdimuhamedov.A meeting with the national leader of Turkmenistan and Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, Mr. Garbenguli Bardimohamedov, has also been arranged.

A high-level delegation comprising senior officers of the Ministry of Industry and Production and National Food Security and Research is also accompanying the federal minister.

As shared by official sources of Pakistan, there will be discussions on bilateral trade, economic relations, industrial and agricultural cooperation with Turkmenistan. Cooperation in the energy sector will also be discussed.

Here it is worth noting that the spokesperson of the ministry of Pakistan has not used the title of the project TAPI in his press statement. He used “Energy Cooperation” and that as another topic and not main topic.

May be it is because the visiting minister does not deal with ministry of energy. The concerned minister is Musaddak Malik who have been called on by TAPI delegations from Turkmenistan and Ambassador of Turkmenistan many times.

Pakistan to Boost Cooperation with Turkmenistan – Reiterates Commitment for Completion of TAPI

Anyway, energy is the basic requirement even if you talk about industry and agriculture also. Availability is one thing and on acceptable , feasible rates is more important than availability. Both aspects can be met only by importing cheap energy from the neighboring or next to neighboring countries and Turkmenistan is one of them.

Incumbent government of Pakistan consists of PMLN and the Prime Minister is Shehbaz Sharif. It means this is the same party whose Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and later PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi visited Turkmenistan in 2016 and 2018 respectively to forge connectivity and inaugurate this project along with heads of other three countries. It is history.

Incumbent PM Shehbaz is younger brother of former PM and serving head of PMLN. Therefore , the incumbent government of Pakistan is supposed to take extra ordinary measures to implement this project before it is too late.

Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have completed their work on pipeline up to Qandhar. From Qandhar to Chaman border , the distance is approximately 500 km. This part awaits a green signal from Pakistani side. Prime Minister Shehbaz in his last gov and President Asif Ali Zardari in his second presidency have already expressed their commitment to early completion and implementation of TAPI project.

The time has come to decide timely because energy deficiency and inflated rates have left Pakistan society, industry and the state even with no other option than to move forward to locally available resources and opportunities to tap as soon as possible. The time is short but the challenge is too hard.

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