Regional connectivity, peace main pillars of govt policy: Ali Muhammad
The minister said terrorism has been rooted out from the country
ISLAMABAD (APP) – Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said on Tuesday that peace, regional stability, prosperity and connectivity were the main pillars of the government policy.
Addressing a seminar arranged by MEASC Research Centre (MRC) in collaboration with Embassy of Turkmenistan on “Strategic Significance of TAPI Project in the Region,” he said the project would connect the South Asian region and ensure peace and prosperity there. “Pakistan wants peace in the region as it will change the destiny of masses.”
He said it was the commitment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to work for peace, love, brotherhood and increased coordination among neighboring countries.
The minister said terrorism had been rooted out from the country due to unmatched sacrifices rendered by law enforcement agencies and Pakistan’s armed forces. ”Now, Pakistan is much secured due to sacrifices of 70,000 Pakistanis in war against terrorism,” he added.
Ali Muhamamd said stable Afghanistan would ensure peace in the whole region. He expressed the hope that Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project would be completed on scheduled time, ushering a new era of development in the partnering countries. He said Pakistan always considered Afghanistan its brotherly neighbor that is why, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood decided to visit Afghanistan first after assuming charge of his office.
Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan Ajay Bisaria said ”The TAPI project is very close to my heart as I had worked on it from 2009 to 2015.” He also appreciated keen interest of the Turkmenistan president in execution of the project. He recalled that about 25 ministerial meetings have so far been held on the project in which experts from members countries always highlighted benefits of the project for the region.
He said the project will help India in meeting its energy mix needs, as presently the country is generating 6.5 percent electricity through gas. He said India is the fourth largest importer of LNG.
He termed the TAPI project a symbol of peace and regional connectivity. He informed the audience that President of Turkmenistan had also plan to construct a road along the TAPI gas pipeline route, which would ensure increased trade activities among the member countries.
The Deputy Head of Turkmenistan embassy in Pakistan said the project was very important for the member countries. He said his country wanted to export natural gas to other countries to overcome their energy crisis. He said the TAPI gas pipeline would be completed in Turkmenistan by end of the current year. He said Turkmenistan considered Pakistan its important friend.
The Deputy Head of Afghanistan in Pakistan described the project as a life-line and game- changer for the member countries. He said the project would ensure lasting progress and prosperity in the region, besides creating more job opportunities in Afghanistan paving a way to end terrorism from there.
Director General MEASAC Mohammad Abdullah Gul and Brig. (Retd.) Abdul Rahman Bilal also spoke on the occasion and highlighted various aspects of the project.
