UNIPATH STAFF
As part of a wide-ranging agreement, Pakistan and Turkmenistan are joining forces to curb money laundering and terror financing.
Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met in Islamabad in March 2016 and agreed to greater cooperation on trade, energy, agriculture, education, science and technology, infrastructure and transportation.
A memorandum of understanding related to money laundering and terrorism financing was signed by Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and his Turkmen counterpart, Muhammetguly Muhammedov.
The Pakistani prime minister said his country is committed to the early completion of the multibillion dollar Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project that will provide greater economic security for the region through increased integration between South and Central Asia.
“Pakistan is ready to provide any assistance to expedite the implementation process of TAPI and help minimize the project cost,” he said, adding that Pakistan views TAPI not only as a gas pipeline project, but as a precursor to making it a trade and transit corridor as well.
On terrorism, Sharif said Pakistan shares the concern that terrorism and extremism are the root causes of insecurity and instability in the region. “This menace also undermines our endeavors for socio-economic development. We have to work collectively to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and extremism,” he said.
Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov said both countries face common challenges and “combating common threats is our goal.” He said the early completion of TAPI would solidify relations between participating countries and create new opportunities.
Both leaders said the threat of extremism and terrorism needed to be countered collectively to ensure peace in the region.
Sources: China.org.cn, The Nation (Pakistan), thenews.com.pk