Pakistani Petroleum Minister: TAPI is Transformation Agenda for the Region

A high-level delegation of Turkmenistan led by State Minister & Chairman of Turkmengaz State Concern Maksat Babayev met with the Pakistani delegation led by Minister of State for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, Pakistan Observer reported on Thursday. 

The Turkmen delegation included Deputy Minister of Energy of Turkmenistan Mr. Annageldi Saparov, CEO & Chairman of the Board of TPCL Muhammetmyrat Amanov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan Atajan Movlamov, Pakistan Branch Manager of TPCL Myrat Bayramov. according to Pakistan Today newspaper. 

The sides agreed to bolster energy cooperation, increase energy trade and expand energy infrastructure investment based on strategic and favorable commercial terms.

"The flagship Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project is a transformation agenda for the region not just a pipeline,” said Dr. Musadik Malik.

Minister Malik highlighted the importance of Pakistan's involvement in conducting pre-feasibility studies, the latest supply-demand analyses, and modifications of project costs and tariffs. He also noted that the primary objectives should be to minimize the costs to Pakistan, maintain the two-way channel, and consider the broader regional context. 

The meeting decided to appoint a high-ranking Pakistani official to resolve any open topics. A technical working group for TAPI will hold an extensive meeting on June 8.