Pakistan has shown readiness to proceed with the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project with or without India, as Afghanistan is ready to assemble special forces for this project.  This was stated by Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Musadik Malik during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, writes Business Recorder, a daily financial newspaper in Pakistan.

 Sources of the publication said that the minister informed the Saudi side about the current situation on the TAPI gas pipeline project.  Malik noted that Turkmenistan is interested in moving the project forward and stated that Pakistan wants to implement the project as soon as possible and complete it with or without India's participation.  Malik reportedly said that if India decides to withdraw from the project, Pakistan is ready to buy its share of the gas.

 On the issue of Afghanistan, the Minister of State for Oil and Natural Resources acknowledged that the country's security and political situation remain a stumbling block.  However, if favorable factors are created, the security problem can be solved.  According to him, transit revenues from the pipeline will amount to 80-85% of Afghanistan's annual budget, which makes ensuring its security mandatory.

 Sources said the Saudi side has indicated that it will closely monitor developments regarding TAPI.  They also suggested that if all security issues are resolved and economic aspects are worked out, investment organizations such as PIF (Public Investment Fund – Saudi Arabia State Investment Fund) SDF and Exim Bank can be involved in the project.

 During the meeting with the Ministers of Finance, Energy, Minerals and Industry of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan's Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources also proposed a new project where natural gas from Turkmenistan could be brought to Gwadar via the Chaman gas pipeline and converted into LNG for export.

 In his opinion, if Saudi Arabia joins this project, this may open up new opportunities, and Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Saudi Arabia may become joint LNG exporters.