Turkmenistan and Pakistan advance work on TAPI gas pipeline project

During a meeting between Pakistan's interim energy minister and Turkmenistan's ambassador to Pakistan earlier this week, Pakistan and Turkmenistan agreed to accelerate work on the TAPI gas pipeline project. This was reported by Orient with reference to ProPakistani.

The two countries decided to hold regular meetings of the joint working group to review the progress of work on this landmark project to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.

Pakistan's Interim Energy Minister reiterated that the TAPI pipeline is important to meet Pakistan's growing energy needs and provides opportunities for greater regional connectivity and economic growth. He expressed optimism that the host government agreement (HGA) for the project would be finalized as expected in October 2023.

The minister also emphasized the need for frequent meetings of the joint working group on the related TAP power transmission project between the two countries to expedite its implementation.

In June, Pakistan and Turkmenistan signed a roadmap to accelerate progress on the TAPI project. The recent meeting and joint statement reflect a renewed commitment by both countries to the project, which envisions transporting 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. In July, Pakistan said that attracting investment from Arab countries would be a priority for financing the construction of TAPI.