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The multi-billion dollars Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project entered its practical phase in Pakistan after the process of initiating front-end-engineering-and-design (FEED) route survey was formally inaugurated on Friday.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said it was a great moment for Pakistan to witness the launch of project in its practical form after a period of 22 years.
He said the FEED process was launched in Afghanistan last week and now it was being initiated in Pakistan under the project to lay a 56-inch diameter 1,680km pipeline, having capacity to flow 3.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan up to Pak-India border.
The minister expressed confidence that the project would complete “in time and on cost” and help meet energy requirements of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
Terming the project crucial, Abbasi said Pakistan was in dire need of the gas, which it was meeting through import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for the last two years in an effective manner.
He said Pakistan would have surplus power and gas when the five-year democratic tenure of incumbent government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz would end in 2018.
The minister said under the TAPI project, scheduled to complete in the year 2020, Pakistan would be getting one third of its total gas production, which currently stands at 4 bcfd.
During the last two years, he said significant developments had taken place for the smooth and timely execution of project and acknowledged the role of Turkmen President and government in initiating the practical work.
Abbasi said all the participating countries were cognisant of the difficulties involved in the project and these would be overcome for making the TAPI a reality.
Under the pipeline, Pakistan and India will be provided 1.325 bcfd gas each and Afghanistan will be getting the share of 0.5 bcfd gas.
Managing Director Inter State Gas Systems (ISGS) Mobin Saulat, Chairman TAPI project Muhammet Murat Amanov, Economic Adviser to Afghan President Ajmal Ahmady and a representative of ILF, a Germany-based Consultant Engineers firm, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted different dimensions of the project.
The TAPI project chairman said the pipeline would be the symbol of peace, prosperity and stability in the region, as it would open up a new vistas of economic activities in every nook and cranny of the areas from where it would pass.
The Economic Adviser to Afghan President said the project would help quench thirst of the energy-starved nations in the region.
He was of the view that the project would complete within the scheduled time.
Comments (25) Closed
Congratulations! What about IP (Iran-Pakistan) gas pipeline? what about increasing trade with Iran and subsequently with Turkey and Europe? any progress yet or just passing time?
Never too late.
It is undeniable fact that TAPI project will slake energy-starved countries after it's completion by 2020. But, how far measures are adopted for its security? As Afghanistan is scarred by bombs on every alternate day?
Best achievement of the government but what benefit goes to common people in price wise. Govt. should provide opportunity for job less people of country and for this textile sector should encourage by power and water and new industries
Get over and done with TAPI as it's get embarrassing for Pakistan.
If TAPI pipeline can be made in reality then Pakistan should be able to give give INDIA MFN status and route to afghanistan for trade in central ASIA.These positive steps will increase trust and will pave way to solution of other long lingering problems between two neighbour countries.
India will certainly not partner any gas pipeline that comes from Pakistan side so all Gas and costs now lies with Pakistan.
Another release of publicity ballon. How quickly we forgot our pact with Iran , the gas pipe line . Iran kept its end of the bargain but Pakistan reneged under the pressure from US and Saudi Kingdom.
TAPI can't be successful in present scenario.
Good luck my beautiful country for progress, soon will get another from Iran.
good news but it should not have taken 22 years to get to this stage. such slow implementation slows development in all of the recipient nations.
@indian nothign is impossible my friend, if all these steps are taken by Pakistan should not indian take steps of its own starting with a democratic vote in Kashmir as to determine its destiny.
Such decisions are hard to swallow for all concerned, but if we want progress and peace for all then this is inevitable at some point. With democracy in Kashmir I suspect the desire to block indian access to Afghanistan will dissipate very fast in Pakistan and MFN status would naturally follow too.
However its incumbent on both sides to compromise and see reason. It is in both countries interest to not listen to the war mongers, war mongers do not lead to development only destruction. It takes builders to build something.
@Mohajir you obviously have not read any of the details of this piepeline, I suggest you read before commenting.
@Fareed N this IP pipeline is not political from Pakistan perspective, its about risk.
Would you put all your life savings on the line for something like this when the factors are not all under your control? IP will happen in time, it is only delayed not cancelled.
With the Iran deal at some point Iran will again pursue this as it in its interests to do so.
@indian : Why should Pakistan give India MFN status when India has always been trying to destabilize Pakistan?
I am still not so sure if TAPI will indeed materialize.
@Ali Zaman Abbasi Seriously dude!? You really are concerned about Afghanistan while what's happening in Pakistan now?
22 years wasted,and nobody can for sure yet say when it will be operational,as above report did not mention about India's participation activity,although India is a part of it. India must show serious attitude towards this mega project. It's a good omen that countries of this region are cooperating in economic projects,the disputed political issues can be transformed to economic gains also,provided the travel&trade doctrine is well placed,and more trade points on border be opened.
@Just Someone because you need money and the capacity to convert crude oil both of which India has
TAPI is an important energy project to serve the region.
Best of luck.
@Surya "@Just Someone because you need money and the capacity to convert crude oil both of which India has"
The project will be a success with or without India. Once the pipeline reaches the Indian border it will be hard for India to resist.
If we have been hearing it for past 22 years, how many more years for completion. May be third or fourth generation might see its completion.
@indian same logic applys to India as well, If they withdraw from Jammu n Kashmir.. peace will prevail
@Balaji Yes Seriously dude!! He got a point anything happens positive or negative in Afghanistan has indirect effects on Pakistan n India as well