New Era of Economic Cooperation Post TAPI

Barrister Amjad Malik

On 11 December 2015, I was invited to join Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who was leaving for Turkmenistan on two days visit with his small delegation on the invitation of the president of Turkmenistan. It was an opportunity not to be missed, and befittingly gave an access to the views of Premier on the direction Pakistan is going and where the government wishes the country to reach. 

In the first leg we all attended an opening ceremony of the 20^th anniversary of the permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. The presence of as many regional head of state showed the command, discipline and resourcefulness of the holder of the 4^th biggest Gas reserve in the world, and its president QurbanAli Muhammedouf. His keen interest in the management style, and upright advancement to acknowledge every speech of the visiting delegate head of state was an epitome of his desire to appreciate the attendance and seek further international cooperation for his state. Getting so many under one roof is not easy at all. 

The evening provided an opportunity of a frank discussion with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, his interest in economic development and hopes he pinned on Pak-China Economic Corridor is not hidden from his conversation, but his anxiety was visible on constraints a civilian Prime Minister operates under a limited framework unlike president of Turkmenistan of which premier was very well aware of Media Probed but composed Prime Minister didn’t spill beans. 

On Sunday 13^th, we all travelled to Mary city where four heads of state were to attend ground breaking ceremony of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India Gas pipeline known as “TAPI”. “TAPI” was inaugurated in a style grandeur and passion by four country’s head of states and their representatives. 

TAPI will start from Daulatabad of Turkmenistan, and will go through Afghanistan, Pakistan and Hindustan. Pakistan will import 1325 million cubic feet gas from Turkmenistan likely to be by 2019 and it will cost ten billion dollars. 

TAPI will open a new era of economic partnership and security in the South Asia which is a ripe region full of mistrust, conflicts and unstable state craft. 

Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India if vow remaining on one page to work together to complete one project, it will lead to another and will link Central Asia to South Asia in real terms, and that is ‘economic cooperation’ the real bon and language of the international world. 

Of course  every project has its own pitfalls, host will desire some tangible interest, so as visiting delegates would like to sell it to their public as cheaper options, but surely TAPI will opens a new era of economic partnership facilitating economic growth, business, employment and meeting energy needs and consumer necessities. Pakistan is hit with energy plus gas shortages TAPI as well as CPEC offers a new era of prosperity to Pakistan. 

Pakistan has a potential to milk its true resources and try to turn around economic wheel and complete its dream of standing on its two feet. It require sheer diligence, dedication, will and untiring labour to achieve its targets. 

TAPI offers a mile stone to head start a regional peace, cooperation and security through bi multi and tri latent cooperation.  We can end miseries of common man by ending beaurocratic red tape in all spheres of life. 

Economic stability through CPEC and TAPI can be a game changer if administration, brilliance, judicial patience, media uprightness and needed reforms pave for completion of economic projects otherwise loan ridden Pakistan may dip into eternal slavery of International Monetary Organisations. It is time that state organisations and institutes feel the pain of the country’s Chief Executive and let him turn around, or to be ready to run around and learn the lesson of economic stability from country like Turkmenistan where discipline forged an alliance with economic prosperity. What we missed there is our asset, a fine press, vibrant electronic media, chirping opposition and overriding institutions nothing like that was present in Asghabat.

National interest desires that we knit all beauties into a positive discipline for the sake of Pakistan. Media freedom must be protected but its liberty must show height and shine on country’s needs, governance, and accountability fodder to parliament than criticism for the sake of it. 

All projects which a government commission and commit must be completed, and must only be halted in case of a national emergency. Temporary stay, and halts must be avoided to save face from international shame and humiliation. Pakistan must put its horse in order themselves inside the country, outside must be seen as one with one voice ‘thank you Prime Minister for giving unique insight’.