PM to leave for Turkmenistan tomorrow

The visit would also highlight the importance that Pakistan attaches to the TAPI Gas Pipeline project and Pakistan’s commitment for its early completion.

During the visit, the prime minister will also participate in the ground breaking ceremony of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project along with the presidents of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Indian leadership.

The Indian Government requested the ADB for joining the project as an official member in 2006. Pakistan will be able to import 1,325 MMcfd natural gas from Turkmenistan.

In Ashgabat, Ansari will also pay respects to a bust of Mahatma Gandhi that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had unveiled during his visit to the Central Asian nation in July this year.

The $10 billion pipeline plan is one of Asia’s most ambitious infrastructure projects and could play a key part in easing the energy crises in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.

Though the visit is strictly not a bilateral one, Vice President Ansari would hold a bilateral meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. The pipeline starting from Turkmenistan will pass through Herat, Qandahar, Chaman, Quetta and Dera Ghazi Khan to Multan to India will be completed within three years by December 2018.

Paksitan wants to expand its trade with Turkmenistan in trade and deepen its energy and defence co-operation.

“The state company ‘Turkmengaz in its capacity as lead consortium for the TAPI will oversee co-ordination in the construction, financing, ownership and operation of the TAPI pipeline”, the minister maintained.

The Pakistani company is responsible for importing gas through the 1,800km pipeline which was envisaged 25 years back.

Afghanistan, which will receive about 16% of the gas (India and Pakistan will have a share of 42% each) from the pipeline, would also receive an estimated $200-$250 million as transit fees from Pakistan, officials familiar with the negotiation said.