Chairman Turkmen Gas calls on Ministers Petroleum & Energy Pakistan , Early Completion of TAPI & TAP Discussed

Islamabad: 07 June 2023 – A high level delegation of Turkmenistan led by State Minister & Chairman of Turkmengas Mr.Maksat Babayev, held meeting with the Pakistani delegation led by Minister Of State for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik here today. Both sides discussed various aspects of the flagship Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to TAPI project and highlighted the energy potential Turkmenistan holds. “TAPI is a transformation agenda for the region not just a pipeline,” said Dr Musadik Malik.

Meeting agreed to appoint a high level official from Pakistan to resolve open issues.

Technical working group on TAPI will hold extensive meeting today. Turkmen delegation thanked Pakistan Government’s support and cooperation for TAPI.

The Turkmenistan’s delegation also included Deputy Minister Energy of Turkmenistan Mr. Annageldi Saparov, CEO & Chairman of the Board,TPCL Muhammetmyrat Amanov, H.E Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atadjan Movlamov, Pakistan Branch Manager, TPCL Mr. Myrat Bayramov. Pakistan’s delegation included additional secretary Mr. Abrar Ahmed Mirza, additional secretary Mr.Hassan Iqbal, Managing Director Inter state Gas Systems (ISGS) Mr.Nadeem Bajwa and other officials of Petroleum Division.

Turkmenistan side shared that  the delegation of Turkmenistan arrived in Islamabad for a two-day visit to discuss the implementation of the TAPI Gas Pipeline Project and the TAP Power Transmission Line Project.

On the same day, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Energy of Pakistan between the delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Mr Maksat Babayev, State Minister – Chairman of State Concern “Turkmengas”, and Mr Annageldi Saparov, Deputy Minister of Energy of Turkmenistan, and the delegation of Pakistan headed by Mr Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister of Energy (Power Division) of Pakistan, and Dr Musadik Malik, State Minister of Energy (Petroleum Division) of Pakistan.During the meeting, the parties discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, particularly the projects for the construction of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline, and the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan power transmission and fiber-optic communication line (TAP). It was agreed that significant progress has been made in terms of the practical implementation of the TAPI Project. The construction of the 214-km long Turkmenistan section of the TAPI pipeline from the Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan to the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan border has been completed.

TAP power transmission line will run in parallel to the TAPI gas pipeline that will not only provide the TAPI Gas Pipeline and its facilities with electric energy but will also play a significant role in satisfying Pakistan’s domestic and industrial demand for electricity and reducing electricity costs.

The Pakistan side emphasized that the TAPI and TAP Projects had full support of the Government of Pakistan as they were crucial for the socio-economic prosperity of the region and for ensuring energy security and economic growth in Pakistan.

The parties agreed to maintain regular contacts between the Technical Working Groups of Turkmenistan and Pakistan on the implementation of joint energy projects.