By Muhammad Luqman
Despite fast changing political situation at home, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is leaving for Turkman capital, Ashghabat on February 22, Thursday on the first leg of his two-day visit to Turkmenistan and Afghanistan to participate in the inauguration of regional energy grid projects including TAPI gas pipeline. According to Pakistan’s foreign office spokesman, he will also attend the link up ceremonies of electricity transmission and fibre optic projects. Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline groundbreaking ceremony will be held in the Turkmen city of Serhetabat. He will be joined by Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Malikgulyevich Berdimuhamedov, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, M.J Akbar. . During his stay in Ashghabat, Pakistan’s Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with the Turkmen President and also attend an Arts & Culture exhibition showcasing cultural performances and artistic pieces from the four member countries, including Pakistan, followed by the link-up ceremony where he will make a statement, alongwith leaders of other member states,. Prime Minister Abbasi will then proceed to Herat, Afghanistan on the same day to attend the Afghan leg of the groundbreaking ceremony. The Prime Minister will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Afghan President after the groundbreaking.
