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Pakistan and Turkmenistan agree to fast-track gas pipeline project involving Afghanistan and India
The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline will originate from Galkynysh, the world’s second-biggest gas field, and end at the Indian city of Fazilka near the Pakistan border.
Pakistan and Turkmenistan agreed on Wednesday to fast-track a major pipeline project that will allow the Central Asian state to supply natural gas to Pakistan and India via Afghanistan, thereby enhancing economic activity across the region and benefiting all involved countries.
The understanding between the two states was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik and Turkmenistan’s Foreign Affairs Rasit Meredow who arrived on a two-day visit to Islamabad on Tuesday.
The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline will originate from Galkynysh, the world’s second-biggest gas field, and end at the Indian city of Fazilka near the Pakistan border.
If the project is implemented, it will help Turkmenistan supply about 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas each year along a route covering a distance of over 1,800 kilometers.
According to an official statement released by the Ministry of Energy’s Petroleum Division, Pakistan and Turkmenistan are working to “expedite” the pipeline project.
“TAPI pipeline project will lower energy costs, which can boost industrial growth, create jobs and foster economic development,” it quoted Pakistan’s petroleum minister as saying during the meeting. “Reliable and affordable energy supplies are vital for industrial sectors and overall economic stability.”
“This project, aimed at fostering economic integration and energy security, has witnessed substantial progress through collaborative efforts,” he continued, stressing the importance of continued engagement between the two countries.
Malik added Pakistan was fully committed to the project which was vital for regional energy cooperation and infrastructure development.
The visiting dignitary expressed appreciation for the warm welcome extended to his delegation by the Pakistani authorities.
“Together we will chalk out a roadmap for cooperation between both countries,” he added.
The meeting was also attended by the CEO of TAPI Pipeline Company Limited.
Other participants of the meeting emphasized the project’s strategic importance in enhancing regional connectivity, promoting economic growth and meeting the energy demands of participating nations.
The TAPI project was envisaged in the early 1990s and officially agreed upon in December 2010.
It has primarily been delayed due to security concerns, geopolitical tensions, funding challenges and bureaucratic hurdles.
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US envoy says she held talks with American officials on supporting Afghan women
Karen Decker, the Chargé d'Affaires at the US Mission to Afghanistan, says several high-ranking US diplomats have assured her of the support of Afghan women and their efforts to help Afghans.
Decker said she held talks with top US officials, the Deputy Secretary of State, and Rina Amiri, special envoy for Afghan women, over the situation of Afghan women and girls, to strengthen human rights and to help Afghans.
She said these senior American diplomats said they will continue efforts to support Afghan women.
“I look forward to pursuing fruitful work with Deputy Secretary of State John Mark to protect America's national security interests, support Afghan women and girls, promote the human rights of all Afghans, and assist the Afghan people against a serious humanitarian crisis to continue my efforts,” said Decker.
Meanwhile, a number of women's rights activists have said that America should take effective steps to ensure women's rights in Afghanistan and discuss the issue with the Islamic Emirate.
Some experts, however, have stated that the efforts of the international community to convince the Afghan rulers to accept the fundamental rights of women in Afghanistan have been unsuccessful so far because the world does not have a clear mechanism for a permanent solution
to this problem.
One of the controversial issues between the IEA and the international community is the matter of women's rights.
However, the IEA has said it cannot accept the Western definition of women's rights and have repeatedly said women’s rights are ensured in accordance with Sharia.
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Suleyman Ciliv, the head of Turkish construction company 77 has expressed hope that his company will secure the contract to run the Yatim Taq cement project in Jawzjan province.
Ciliv met with Afghanistan’s acting minister of mines and petroleum, Hedayatullah Badri, and said he hoped this would lead to the signing of an agreement between the two parties, the ministry said in a statement Thursday.
The ministry stated that Badri appreciated the activities of 77 Turkish company in the country and asked them to invest more in Afghanistan's talc, iron and copper mines.
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In his meeting with the traders, the official also called on neighboring countries to stop creating hurdles for Afghan traders, and rather provide necessary facilities for the growth of bilateral trade.
The Islamic Emirate will talk to Indian officials over the issue of visas for dried fruit traders, Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Maulawi Abdul Kabir said on Wednesday.
In his meeting with the traders, the official also called on neighboring countries to stop creating hurdles for Afghan traders, and rather provide necessary facilities for the growth of bilateral trade.
He said that land would be allocated for dried fruit traders in accordance with the policy of the Islamic Emirate.
Earlier in the meeting, the traders called for help with the India visa process.
They also said that they are suffering from high taxes that Pakistan has imposed on Afghan dried fruits.
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