Taliban may be engaged for TAPI safety: Asif
“We will wield all our positive influence to ensure our interests,” he said
PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan will use its influence over Afghan Taliban to ensure security of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) pipeline, Water and Power Minister Khawaja Asif told BBC on Friday.
He said the project is very important for all four countries and will play a significant role in reducing the energy crisis in Pakistan. “That is why we will make utmost efforts to complete it on time and ensure concerns regarding its security due to the situation in Afghanistan are removed,” he said.
TAPI gas pipeline: Kabul turns to Taliban for pipeline security
To question regarding using influence on the warring factions in Afghanistan – particularly Afghan Taliban – to ensure security of Tapi project, Asif answered in the affirmative.
“We will wield all our positive influence to ensure our interests,” he said. “The project is also important for Afghanistan and that is why no Afghan stakeholder will oppose it,” he added.
At least 37 dead in Taliban attack on Afghan airport: officials
He cited the example of the US oil exploration company Unicol, whose gas pipeline was guaranteed to be protected by Taliban during their government from 1996 to 2001.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2015.