ISLAMABAD: Ali Pervaiz Malik, the newly appointed Federal Minister for Petroleum, met with the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. Atadjan Movlamov, at the Ministry today in a high-level meeting aimed at reinforcing the energy ties between the two countries.

This significant discussion marks a step forward in advancing bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in the energy sector. Ambassador Movlamov began the meeting by congratulating Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik on his recent appointment.

He expressed his confidence in the minister's ability to guide Pakistan's energy sector towards sustainable and forward-looking growth. Ambassador Movlamov also highlighted the longstanding and friendly relations between Turkmenistan and Pakistan, emphasizing the shared interests, particularly in the energy sector. He noted that energy collaboration had always been a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship and could be further strengthened to benefit both countries. Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik reciprocated the ambassador's congratulations and expressed his appreciation for the strong ties that Pakistan shares with Turkmenistan.

He pointed out the historical and cultural linkages between the two nations, emphasizing that these bonds of mutual respect and understanding form the foundation for the potential growth in economic and energy cooperation. Minister Malik underscored that both countries share common aspirations for regional prosperity, which provides a solid basis for deepening bilateral engagement, particularly in the energy sector. Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has been making significant strides in modernizing its energy infrastructure, with a focus on diversifying energy sources and attracting foreign investment. Minister Malik outlined several strategic initiatives Pakistan is undertaking to strengthen its energy sector, including enhancing domestic energy production and improving the overall energy distribution network.  These efforts aim to address Pakistan's energy demands while promoting a sustainable and environmentally responsible future. The minister emphasized that enhancing energy cooperation with Turkmenistan would be a critical part of this vision, particularly in light of both countries' shared interests in regional energy projects and their ability to support each other's economic growth.

Both sides discussed the potential for greater collaboration in the energy sector, including the exploration of new energy projects, cross-border energy trading, and joint ventures in oil and gas exploration. Minister Malik emphasized Pakistan's eagerness to deepen its energy cooperation with Turkmenistan, especially in light of both countries' geographical proximity and shared goals for regional energy security. He also highlighted the potential benefits of working together on various energy initiatives, particularly in the areas of natural gas supply, renewable energy projects, and infrastructure development.

During the meeting, the Federal Minister also expressed his support for the upcoming international conference titled International Year of Peace and Trust: Role of Inter-regional Economic Cooperation in Ensuring Sustainable Development, which is set to take place in Ashgabat tomorrow. Minister Malik extended his best wishes for the success of the conference, noting that it would provide a platform for fostering greater economic cooperation and dialogue on sustainable development, particularly in the context of energy and infrastructure. The discussions also covered the future of the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project, with both leaders expressing their commitment to ensuring the successful completion of the project, which is a critical infrastructure project for Pakistan's energy security.

Ambassador Movlamov reiterated Turkmenistan's support for Pakistan's energy needs and expressed optimism that continued collaboration in this area would be mutually beneficial. The meeting between Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Ambassador Atadjan Movlamov was a significant step towards strengthening energy ties between Pakistan and Turkmenistan. Both sides expressed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in energy and other sectors, ensuring mutual growth and long-term prosperity for both nations. The discussions reaffirmed the importance of strong, sustainable, and inclusive economic and energy relations between the two countries.