Pak, Turkmenistan sign MoU to curb terror financing

Islamabad, Mar 16: Pakistan and Turkmenistan today sealed eight accords including a Memorandum of Understanding on curbing money laundering and terror financing and reiterated their commitment to USD-10 billion TAPI pipeline project that will also provide gas to India.

Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who arrived here earlier today for a two-day official visit, witnessed the signing ceremony at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's residence, where the two leaders also signed the Joint Communique.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in exchange of financial intelligence related to money laundering and terror financing was signed by Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and his Turkmenistan counterpart Muhammetguly Muhammedov, Radio Pakistan reported.

The MoU on cooperation in the field of energy was signed by Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Turkmenistan’s Minister for Oil and Gas Myraigeldi Meredov.

The two nations also inked agreements related to the Programme of Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, as well as MoUs on cooperation in areas of information technology, education and research, the report said.

Sharif reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the early completion of the multi-billion dollar Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project that will open a new chapter in economic collaboration in the region.

"Pakistan is ready to provide any assistance to expedite the implementation process of TAPI and help minimize the project cost," he said, while adding that Pakistan views TAPI as a precursor to making it a trade and transit corridor as well.

"Such corridor could comprise gas pipeline, road, electricity transmission and fiber optic lines besides economic zones connecting Pakistan with Turkmenistan," Sharif said.

The Pakistani PM also suggested how the two countries could be connected through a railway corridor connecting Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran.

PTI