PM Abbasi calls for early operationalisation of TAPI

APP54-16ISLAMABAD: October 16 – Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Nurlyevich Movlamov called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at PM Office. APP ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Monday reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to the early operationalisation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project as it holds a huge potential for meeting Pakistan’s energy needs. He was talking to Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Nurlyevich Movlamov who paid a courtesy call on him at the Prime Minister’s Office. The prime minister said Pakistan and Turkmenistan traditionally enjoy close, cordial relations marked by trust and understanding and pointed that bilateral collaboration in different sectors was growing steadily. The prime minister said there was room for attaining optimum level of economic cooperation between Pakistan and Turkmenistan. He said both the countries should set the goal for increased engagement in trade, investment and other areas. It was also noted that the two countries were focused on measures for enhanced connectivity including air and land linkages to promote trade, travel, tourism and people-to-people contacts. Meanwhile, PM Khaqan Abbasi was briefed on water resources of the country during a meeting held at Prime Minister’s Office. Minister for Water Resources Syed Javed Ali Shah, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (r) Muzammil Hussain, Indus Water Commissioner Mirza Asif Baig, IRSA Chairman Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, Flood Commission Chairman Ahmad Kamal and senior official were present during the meeting. An overview of annual surface water availability and distribution of western and eastern rivers was presented before the meeting along with water storage capacity available in the country. Matter pertaining to trans-boundary water issues and the efforts being made for early resolution of the pending disputes also came under discussion. The meeting was informed that out of 137 MAF of available water flow at present approximately 93 MAF was being diverted to the canals for irrigation purposes while 22 MAF of water was flowing into the Arabian sea which was much greater than the required water-flow. Taking note of significant increase in the unaccounted for water which has increased from 10 MAF to 22 MAF at present, the Prime Minister directed to put in place an effective mechanism for monitoring of discharge at all structures of Indus Basin Irrigation System. The prime minister observed that in order to meet the challenges of water scarcity and to cater to irrigation needs of the country, there was an urgent need for undertaking water conservation measures including construction of much-needed water reservoirs. The Prime Minister directed Ministry of Water Resources to expedite efforts for construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dam. The PM also directed that financing strategy for Diamer-Bhasha dam should be brought before the CCI for approval. He emphasised that water was a critical issue and it required an urgent response. Failure to add storage capacity during last four decades has created a situation of water scarcity. Hence, there was no option other than pursuing all water storage projects, observed the prime minister. The prime minister also directed that proposals for strengthening and capacity building of various organs of the ministry be submitted for consideration. Meanwhile, a delegation of parliamentarians from JUI-F called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Developmental projects and matters pertaining to the respective constituencies of the parliamentarians were discussed during the meeting. The prime minister assured the parliamentarians of all possible support from the federal government in execution of development and public welfare projects. The delegation consisted of Senator Maulana Atta Ur Rehman, Mr. Akram Khan Durrani Minister for Housing, Maulana Amir Zaman Minister for Postal Services, MNA Mir Usman Khan Badini, MNA Maulana Agha Muhammad , MNA Jamal ud Din, MNA Qari Muhammad Yousaf, MNA Maulana Gohar Shah, MNA Asia Nasir, MNA Naeema Kishwar, MNA Shahida Akhtar Ali, MNA Alia Kamran, Senator Salih Shah and Senator Talha Mehmood. Published in Daily Times, October 17th 2017.