TAPI gas pipeline project: Islamabad, Kabul agree on realistic transit fee

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed on a realistic transit fee for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project and a detailed session in this regard would also be held to move towards an understanding.
This was decided in a meeting between Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain and Afghanistan''s Deputy Minister of Finance Mohammad Mustafa Mastoor who called on Dr Asim here on Thursday. The meeting was attended by Afghan Deputy Minister for Policy and Mines Mir Ahmad Jawed Sadat, Secretary Petroleum Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry and other senior officials of the Petroleum Ministry.
Dr Asim said that Afghanistan was an important strategic partner of Pakistan and the bilateral relations between the two countries needed to be further strengthened. He emphasised that economic linkages were the key to strengthening bilateral ties.
He informed the Afghan delegation about his discussions with India on TAPI gas project during his recent visit and proposed that Pakistan, Afghanistan and India should conduct joint meetings in the future. Dr Asim said that Pakistan was considering establishing Pakistan State Oil (PSO) retail outlets in Afghanistan.
The Afghan Deputy Finance Minister apprised that his country was committed to the implementation of TAPI gas pipeline project, which he said would be helpful in fulfilling the regional energy demands. The Afghan Minister informed that his government was also planning to conduct road shows in major cities of Pakistan to promote investment opportunities in Afghanistan.