Pakistan, Turkmenistan ink accord to implement TAPI gas pipeline project

Published June 8, 2023
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnesses the signing ceremony of the TAPI Joint Implementation Plan. — Twitter/pmln_org
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnesses the signing ceremony of the TAPI Joint Implementation Plan. — Twitter/pmln_org

Pakistan and Turkmenistan signed a joint implementation plan on Thursday to execute the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a delegation of Turkmenistan led by Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma’a in Islamabad.

State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik and Turkmenistan’s State Minister and Chairman of TurkmenGas, Maskat Babayev inked the accord.

The 1,800-kilometre pipeline is expected to carry 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas every year from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh — the world’s second-largest gas field — to the Indian city of Fazilka. It will pass through Herat and Kandahar, in Afghanistan, and Quetta and Multan.

The project has two phases: a free flow phase with an estimated cost of $5-6bn and installation of compressor stations for at least $1.9bn.

Speaking on the occasion today, PM Shehbaz termed TAPI a very important project for the progress of the entire region, adding that it would help the region secure natural gas with concrete assurances and mutually agreed terms and conditions.

Highlighting the significance of energy for developing countries, he said: “We have to negotiate with this challenge through speedy action.”

The prime minister expressed confidence that the TAPI project would lead to an era of regional cooperation, development, and prosperity. He asked the Pakistani team to expedite its planning and subsequently its execution.

PM Shehbaz said both Pakistan and Turkmenistan were brotherly countries and ready to expand their economic cooperation.

He mentioned that in view of the global situation, energy had become a real challenge. “For a developing country like Pakistan, there is a need for speedy actions to explore the options for energy.”

The prime minister directed his team to do all in their power to pace up the planning and execution of the TAPI project, adding that Pakistan and Turkmenistan were ready to expand relations in diverse areas and boost their cooperation.

Later, in a tweet, PM Shehbaz termed the TAPI Joint Implementation Plan “a step forward for the execution of the project”. He said the project was vital to meeting the country’s energy needs.

“Pakistan wants the project to be implemented at fastest speed. In view of costlier fuel prices and gas shortages globally, we are exploring all options to procure all forms of energy on a sustainable basis as part of a comprehensive national energy security plan,” the prime minister said.

He added that the completion of the TAPI project “will be a game-changer for the region in terms of enhanced economic cooperation.”

Gas woes of Pakistan

Pakistan’s dependence on imported fuel has been increasing over time as domestic gas resources have fallen by as much as nine per cent per annum in recent years while the share of LNG has gone up.

Qatar has captured the Pakistani LNG market and has been looking for increasing its share through a joint venture partnership with an upcoming private sector LNG terminal.

In recent months, Pakistan faced a gas crisis due to higher reliance on LNG imports. Going forward, the country wants to diversify gas import sources.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...