TAPI & Iran

Published March 1, 2018

DURING the last two decades the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project has been ‘inaugurated’ many times by our military and political leaders.

This mega project will supply natural gas from Turkmenistan’s giant Galkynysh gasfield, using a 1,840km gas pipeline at a cost of $8 billion. It will be completed in two years. This project will be executed by American companies.

It will supply gas to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. It is not known what will be the price of gas the users will be paying and what will be rent charges India will be paying to Afghanistan and Pakistan for the land used.

Pakistan needs energy to improve its economy and electricity generation. But the question is: at what cost the gas is being purchased by Turkmenistan compared to Iran’s? Pakistan has also signed an LNG contract for 15 years with Qatar, which was allegedly done for personal interests by PML-N leaders and the gas rate was accepted at higher rate.

Why was the Iran gas project not preferred by the PML-N government which was to be completed by investing $500 million to lay the pipes on our part of Balochistan?

Syed Tasadaq

Lahore

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...