TAPI Security to Top Agenda During Berdimukhamedov's Pakistan Trip

Security of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline will be high on Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov’s visit to Pakistan which begins Wednesday.

According to a report published in The Nation, a Pakistani English newspaper, besides signing various deals during the visit, Berdimuhamedow will also discuss the progress of the multi-billion dollar pipeline with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Last week, Turkmen oil and gas ministry said in a statement that preparation for the construction of the linear part of the Turkmen section of TAPI gas pipeline is being completed. The much delayed TAPI gas pipeline project was formally inaugurated on December 13.

TurkmenGaz will be the leader of the consortium and shall take 85%. Along with GAIL India, ISGS of Pakistan and Afghan Gas Enterprise (AGE) will also take 5% each. The TAPI pipeline will have a capacity to carry 90mn m³/day.