Tapi benefits

This refers to the news report, ‘TAPI pipeline to change region’s destiny: PM’ (December 14). The Tapi gas pipeline project is a positive step towards enhancing bilateral and regional ties among Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. This project has the potential of ushering in an era of regional prosperity and can prove to be a game-changer in the region.

From our point of view, this project will help us overcome the national gas shortage to some extent. Though the project has multiple benefits, the completion of this $10 billion pipeline by the end of 2018 is a big challenge for the signatory countries due to the volatile bilateral relations between India and Pakistan on the one hand, and Pakistan and Afghanistan on the other. The history of relations between these countries shows that any irresponsible attitude can sabotage the whole process of bilateralism. On our part we have always aspired for regional peace but India’s stubbornness has always come in the way. Since the Tapi project is considered to be an alternative to the IPI gas pipeline project, the leaders of the signatory countries should work with sincerity for its completion to get mutual benefits.

Rumaisa Ali

Lahor