Pakistan, Turkmenistan ink JIP for TAPI
Pakistan and Turkmenistan on Thursday signed a Joint Implementation Plan (JIP) in a bid to speed up work on the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (Tapi) gas pipeline project and complete the project in speed. The JIP document was signed by Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Musadik Malik and Minister of State and CEO of TurkmenGaz Maksat Babayev, according to the statement.
The signing ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior cabinet members, representatives from the petroleum sector and Inter State Gas Systems Pvt Ltd. The agreement was signed at the end of a tale of two days in Pakistan by a high-level Turkmen delegation led by Babayev, Deputy Energy Minister Annageldi Saparov, CEO of BOD, TPCL and Chairman, Muhammetmyrat Amanov.
He said the JIP would consider setting up a high-level coordination committee (SCC) to expedite and oversee project activities. The Prime Minister appointed Special Assistant to the PM Dr Jehanzeb Khan to act as the key person from the Pakistani side as the head of the SCC.
During the meeting with the Turkmen delegation, PM Shehbaz said that as an important part of his government’s vision, the Tapi gas pipeline project will ensure energy security, economic growth and prosperity in Pakistan and the whole area.
“But the gas project shows the strong cooperation between Pakistan and Turkmenistan in the energy sector,” a statement issued by the PM’s office quoted Shehbaz as saying. The prime minister said Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoy brotherly relations backed by shared history, culture and religion. He said leaderships on both sides have a strong desire to further develop economic and trade ties.
