PESHAWAR, May 31: Former chief minister of the NWFP, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, has said the pact to lay trilateral gas pipeline will boost economic activities in the region.

In a statement here on Friday, he hailed the multi-billion-dollars project signed by Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan that would certainly open new investment opportunities.  

He stated that it was a historic initiative which reflected the commitment of the three countries for creating congenial environment to promote trade and economic interests of the region.

These developments, he said, would lead to investment-friendly environment in the region.

Mr Sherpao said that a dream to reap the trade benefits from Central Asia would come true with the signing of the long-awaited-mega project.

Mr Sherpao said the restoration of complete peace and harmony in Afghanistan would further strengthen Pakistan’s trade ties with the Central Asian Republics.

He hoped that the Loya Jirga would help remove almost all hindrances in the way of economic uplift of the region.

PPP leader, expressing concern at the escalating tension between India and Pakistan, termed the confrontation between the two nuclear powers very dangerous.

He flayed the antagonistic attitude of the Indian leadership that had created war hysteria in the South Asia.

He proposed that keeping in view the gravity of poverty, the leadership of both countries should work to end this social evil. It was essential to bring an end to the confrontation in the South Asia for cementing ties with Central Asia, he contended.

Mr Sherpao, describing the poverty as the biggest enemy of the people, urged the regional states to fight against this social evil.

He argued that both Pakistan and India should find ways to sort out all issues including Kashmir, in the larger regional interest. Extended co-operation between the South and Central Asian states would help prosper the people, he added.

Sherpao also underlined the need for developing rail and road links that would bring the countries closer to each other.