March 18, 2022
2 mins read

TAPI pipeline project may resume in Spring

Economists have suggested that the TAPI pipeline project would also provide job opportunities for the Afghan citizens….reports Asian Lite News

The Taliban-led government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said negotiations over technical issues of the TAPI, or the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India, pipeline have taken place and the project will resume in the spring, the media reported on Friday.

“We hope to immediately reach an exact date on the restart of the TAPI pipeline project in the spring. We hope the work on other projects including TAPI will be resumed soon too,” TOLO News quoted Shafi Azam, a senior official at the Ministry, as saying.

Economists have suggested that the TAPI pipeline project would also provide job opportunities for the Afghan citizens.

“I consider the resumption of this project at such a critical time a positive step because when this project is resumed, the people will be provided with both gas and job opportunities,” said Ahmad Muneeb Rasa, an economist.

However, many reports were published about the resumption of TAPI projects in Afghanistan, but it is yet to begin.

“The accomplishment of the major economic projects in the country is in the hands of the regional countries such as India and Pakistan. As long as the interests of the two countries are not ensured, the implementation of this project will be just a possibility,” TOLO News quoted Shakir Yaqob, an economist, as saying.

The TAPI gas pipeline is planned to span 1,680 km and connect Afghanistan’s Herat and Kandahar provinces with Pakistan and India.

Afghanistan will pay 5 per cent of the project’s expenses.

The project began nearly three decades ago.

Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline.(wikipedia)

ADB’s red flag

The Asian Development Bank had recently said that unless the Islamic Emirate is recognised, it will not help implement the TAPI project.

According to local media, the bank had suspended all of its activities related to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India project since August last year when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.

“The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that unless the Islamic Emirate is recognized, it will not help implement the TAPI project. The bank said it had suspended all activities related to the TAPI project since August 8 last year,” an Afghanistan-based radio and television network said in a Tweet.

TAPI pipeline will be a trans-country natural gas pipeline running across four countries.

According to some economists, the implementation of the TAPI project will provide job opportunities for around 12,000 people in Afghanistan, Tolo News has reported.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan is part of the Turkmen gas pipeline project to Pakistan and India, and it is expected that Afghanistan will earn about USD 400 million a year for allowing transit across its territory.

Also, Turkmen officials expressed optimism about the future of the project after a meeting three weeks ago with the head of the Afghanistan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, according to Tolo News. (IANS/ANI)

ALSO READ: UN to host pledging conference in Afghanistan

Previous Story

China’s Covid situation continues to worsen

Next Story

Taliban’s gender apartheid in Afghanistan

Latest from -Top News

American missionary abducted in Niger

The US Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert warning that American citizens “remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city”…reports Asian Lite News An American

Ouattara predicted to win fourth term

Around 8.7 million Ivorians were registered to vote, though analysts had predicted a lower turnout compared with the last two elections, when participation slightly exceeded 50%…reports Asian Lite News Votes were being

Russia Fires at EU

Zakharova called the sanctions package “illegal” and “self-destructive”, while accusing Brussels of isolating itself on the international stage…reports Asian Lite News Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has slammed the European Union’s

Mamdani Hits Back at Racism

Mamdani criticised rivals for spreading “hatred,” saying their Islamophobia harms him and nearly one million Muslims in New York….reports Asian Lite News New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Friday delivered
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Student becomes diplomat, fills consular void for Afghans in India 

This has resulted in a significant gap in consular services

India Sends 40,000 Litres of Locust Pesticide to Afghanistan

Malathion, known for its efficacy in arid regions and minimal