This is with reference to a news item published in a section of press regarding the international gas pipeline projects and the progress being made in this regard. Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) is aggressively pursuing the international gas pipeline projects to meet the energy needs of the country. The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline Project and North South Gas Pipeline Project are clear illustrations of such efforts of Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division). The TAPI Project has achieved substantial progress during the current year. The Heads of Terms of the Host Government Agreement have been signed with the TAPI Project Company in order to enable the company to start construction work in Pakistan. The ground breaking ceremony for Pakistan segment of the Project is also being planned, which is expected to be held shortly. The TAPI Project Company (TAPI Pipeline Company Limited (TPCL)) has established its project office in Dubai and also opened a branch office in Islamabad. To fund the project activities, the Govt. of Pakistan is regularly contributing its committed share in the Project. The TPCL is being managed by Turkmenistan being the majority shareholder and consortium leader in the Project. The assertion appeared in a section of press that Pakistan is being represented in the project company through a foreigner or any financial embezzlement is being committed is absolutely wrong, baseless and concocted. The Project is professionally managed by Turkmenistan in accordance with the terms of the agreements between the four countries. Moreover, none from India, Afghanistan or Pakistan is representing their respective companies/countries in the company except through the Board of Directors of the company, where the three countries have equal representation. Pakistan being one of the shareholder has its representation on the Board of Directors of the Company through Managing Director-Inter State Gas Systems (Pvt) Ltd. Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) is meticulously monitoring the progress of the Project and have full confidence and faith, the way these international pipeline projects are being managed by ISGS. There is absolutely no truth in the aspersion that MD-ISGS is fleeing the country nor has he ever travelled without the approval of the competent authority. The ministry officials too have traveled abroad with the approval of the competent authority to monitor and supervise the project related activities. Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) categorically denies any financial embezzlement or corruption being committed in the company or any high official of the ministry visiting abroad without authorization. Such baseless and negative news reporting, if continued, would badly tarnish country’s image and severely damage the international projects of strategic importance being handled by Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), and are therefore required to be stopped.
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