Pak to pursue IPI and Tapi projects

Islamabad: Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that Pakistan is vigorously pursuing both IPI (Iran - Pakistan - India) and Tapi (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan and India) gas pipeline projects to meet the growing energy demands and reduce its dependence on import of furnace oil.

He expressed these views while talking to Iranian Ambassador Mashallah Shakari and Turkmen Ambassador Sapar Berdiniyaov who called on him separately here at his office. Referring to economic and political significance of the IPI gas project for the whole region, the minister said its early implementation would serve to strengthen and expand the economic and trade relations among the regional countries.

He welcomed India's participation in the project and assured that all possible transit facilities will be provided for the Iranian gas to India through Pakistan. Iranian envoy assured unshakable commitment of his government to the IPI project and also wished to co-operate in other sectors.

Talking to Turkmen envoy, Khawaja Asif said that upcoming steering committee meeting on TAPI project scheduled on April 22-24 would produce positive outcome in the negotiation on the project.

He declared that this project would help promote political goodwill in the region. The Turkmen envoy said that beyond TAPI gas pipeline project, Turkmenistan desires to further deepen the bilateral relations in different fields.

Both the ambassadors felicitated the minister on assuming his new assignment in the government and hoped for further strengthening mutual relations with the coming of new government in Pakistan.