ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation of Turkmenistan led by Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev held extensive meetings with the Pakistani delegation led by Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar on Monday.

Both sides discussed various aspects of the flagship Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline as well as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line.

Azhar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to TAPI project and stressed the need to expedite the project. The same devotion to the multilateral project was expressed by the Turkmenistan side.

He further expressed the resolve of the Government of Pakistan for early completion of the TAPI project on account of Pakistan’s need for additional supplies of natural gas. He requested the Turkmenistan side to take all steps for early completion of the project.

Pakistan agreed to hold the meeting of the technical working group on Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line within a week that will work around the pre-feasibility parameters of the project.

It was decided that meeting of technical working group on TAPI will be held tomorrow to propose the future roadmap given the changed dynamics of the project.

The Turkmenistan delegation included (i) Chairman of the Board and CEO TAPI Pipeline Company Limited Muhammetmyrat Amanov,(ii) Head of the Department of International Power Projects in the direction of Turkmenistan–Afghanistan-Pakistan, Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan Artykov,(iii) Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov,(iv) Chairman of the concern Turkmenenergogurlushyk N Atayev and (iv) representatives of the project company - Calik Holding.

Pakistan’s delegation included Secretary Power Division Syed Asif Haider Shah, Secretary Petroleum Division Ali Raza Bhutta and senior officials of the Ministry of Energy.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022