President set to sign TAPI gas pipeline project

President Asif Ali Zardari is leaving for Turkmenistan for a two- day visit on December 11.

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari is leaving for Turkmenistan for a two- day visit on Saturday, December 11, where he will sign Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (Tapi) gas pipeline project.

Sources in Foreign Office confirmed the visit and said that a signing conference will be held where heads of the four states will participate and sign the project. Zardari will also hold sideline meetings with the presidents of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, while his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is also expected, in the case if he comes there.

However, India has not confirmed the participation of Manmohan Singh, and vice president of India or the minister of petroleum is likely to take part in the conference instead.

Pakistan will get 30 billion cubic meter gas as a result of this project.

In case of exclusion of India, Pakistan will purchase more gas. President will also stress to enhance the relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2010.