Muhammad Asif Noor
Pakistan and Turkmenistan’s time tested friendship is turning thirty years old with thousand splendid suns shining bright to reflect the sense of togetherness and support in rock solid way. Over the past three decades the robust relations continued to grow in diverse direction from policy levels to cultural cooperation, energy sector and trade, people to people ties, cooperation in education and research fields. With sharing of the similar insights on global and regional issues, Pakistan and Turkmenistan continuously supported each other in building global peace through dialogue and diplomacy.Pakistan stood by Turkmenistan on its important foreign policy stance of permanent neutrality. On the other hand Turkmenistan supported Pakistan on not only global and regional issues but offered huge energy and connectivity projects that can change the fate of the country.As a result of the visionary leadership of PresidentGurbangulyBerdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan is one of the most widely respected nations at the global stage for promoting the values of peace, prosperity, and development.
Since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, Pakistan has supported Turkmenistan, its independence, sovereignty and the status of the Permanent Neutrality. Pakistan and Turkmenistan are members of important regional and international forums including United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Economic Cooperation Organization and the Non-Aligned Movement. Over the course of three decades, there were several high level visits from both sides including visits of Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Foreign Ministers. There were several important joint ministerial commission’s sessions held to move forward the ideals of cooperation in diverse sectors. Although trade volume is not encouraging nevertheless it is steadily growing through a strong will as there is huge potential for the promotion of trade between the two countries.
Turkmenistan offers Pakistan huge support in energy, electricity and communication sectors especially Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is the hallmark of the joint cooperation. TAPI is also considered as the peace pipeline having potentials to extend peace, prosperity and development across the region. Galkynysh is the tipping point for the TAPI gas pipeline having an estimate of 27 trillion cubic meters. Gas from this field will be transported from Turkmenistan through1840 km long pipeline. The pipeline is offering cheaper, safer and cleaner alternative to coal and diesel fired power generation hence creating less impact on environment and society. The project is based on the World Bank EHS guidelines, ADB safeguard policies and IFC performance standards approved and vetted by the states engaged. This project is strategically important for the region and beyond as the execution will bring direct and indirect social, economic, political and environmental benefits to the entire region.
Turkmenistan is also offering Pakistan through TAPI pipeline a 1635 km fiber-optic line offering communication links across the pipeline. This optic-fiber will offer communication data of Europe, Asia, South East Asia with the 100 Gb/s speed with capacity to increase it to 6 Tb/s. TAPI will be supported by the electric power transmission line that will not only provide the pipeline the facility on the way but also help to export the energy of up to 3000 megawatt through Afghanistan to Pakistan. This again will help Pakistan for its energy needs and help run the industries with a reduced cost. As a result of TAPI, Pakistan will not only benefit from gas but at the same time energy, electricity and fiber-optic communications. Turkmenistan is also offering Pakistan to join an important connectivity Railway line project that will be starting from Sarhadabad to Turgundi, Herat, Hilmand, Qandhar, Spinnoldak andChaman. This is a 700km long train track and is mostly having plain area across from Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and can arrive to Pakistan till Chaman border.
On the other hand, Pakistanis offering Turkmenistan to connect through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and gain immense benefits under this fate changing flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).CPEC, a component of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), provides an opportunity to enhance bilateral cooperation and shift the focus of relationship to addressing socio-economic challenges, building economic linkages and enhancing bilateral trade. Gwadar seaport as a crown of BRI is offering immense opportunity for Turkmenistan to connect towards global market.CPEC is on its way to the second phase of development progress focusing on industrial cooperation, agriculture development and socio-economic prosperity.
With stronger ties between Pakistan and Turkmenistan are having lasting impacts on the regionalpeace, stability, prosperity and development. Partnership and collaboration in projects like TAPI and others will help Afghanistan to be stable as well. Peaceful Afghanistan will help bring prosperity and development for the countries and communities across and both Pakistan and Turkmenistan are standing shoulder to shoulder with each other in building peace in the region.
Director, Centre for Central Asia and Eurasian Studies- Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, Pakistan