ISLAMABAD: The Taliban on Sunday voiced their support for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, Afghan media reported on Monday, months after the group formed an interim government in the war-torn country.
The statement by the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, came during the visit of Turkmenistan foreign minister Rashid Meredov to Kabul.
The multibillion-dollar gas pipeline project aims to supply gas from Turkmenistan via Afghanistan and Pakistan up to Pakistan’s border with India.
“Important issues such as TAPI, railroads and electricity were discussed. We discussed how to strengthen the projects that had already started,” Afghanistan’s TOLO news channel quoted Muttaqi as saying at a joint press conference with Meredov.
“Also, the projects that were started by Turkmenistan, such as TAPI — its practical implementation will start soon in Afghanistan.”
The TAPI gas pipeline is expected to carry 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas each year along a route stretching 1,814 kilometers (1,125 miles) from Galkynysh, the world’s second-biggest gas field, to the Indian city of Fazilka, close to the Pakistan border, according to the report.
Work on the project began in Afghanistan in February 2018, with at least 816km stretch of the pipeline passing through the land-locked country to Pakistan and India. However, its construction has faced delays in Afghanistan and Pakistan over the past years.
Meredov said the Turkmen delegation and Afghan officials held constructive talks on economic and political issues.
During the visit, the Turkmen foreign minister met with the Taliban’s deputy prime minister Abdul Salam Hanafi and discussed economic affairs — especially the TAPI project — and railroads, and “made important decisions,” the report quoted Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid as saying.
Meredov also invited the acting Afghan foreign minister to visit Turkmenistan.
Taliban back gas pipeline project connecting Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India
https://arab.news/rxdmf
Taliban back gas pipeline project connecting Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India
- Development came during Turkmen foreign minister Rashid Meredov’s visit to Kabul
- Meredov said he held constructive talks with Taliban officials on economic, political issues
Pakistan to play India in T20 World Cup, government says
- Islamabad announced boycotting the Feb. 15 match in Colombo to protest the ICC’s exclusion of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup
- Pakistan’s government says the decision to play India is taken to protect ‘spirit of cricket and to support the continuity of global sport’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cleared the country’s cricket team to play India in the T20 World Cup on Feb. 15, the Pakistani government announced late Monday, ending a week-long standoff.
Islamabad announced boycotting the Feb. 15 match in Colombo to protest the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) exclusion of Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup, following Dhaka’s decision to not play matches in India owing to security fears.
On Sunday, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja arrived in Lahore for talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam as the sport’s governing body strived to save the high-stakes T20 World Cup encounter.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi met PM Sharif late Monday and briefed him regarding the outcomes of high-level deliberations held between the PCB, Bangladesh board and ICC representatives, the Pakistani government said on X.
“The Government of Pakistan has reviewed the formal requests extended to the PCB by the Bangladesh Cricket Board, as well as the supporting communications from Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and other member nations. These correspondences sought Pakistan’s leadership in securing a viable solution to recent challenges,” the Pakistani government said.
“In view of the outcomes achieved in multilateral discussions, as well as the request of friendly countries, the Government of Pakistan hereby directs the Pakistan National Cricket Team to take the field on February 15, 2026, for its scheduled fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.”
The BCB earlier thanked the PCB, ICC and all others for their positive roles in trying to “overcome recent challenges,” particularly thanking PCB Chairman Naqvi and Pakistani cricket fans for demonstrating “exemplary sportsmanship and solidarity.”
“We are deeply moved by Pakistan’s efforts to go above and beyond in supporting Bangladesh during this period. Long may our brotherhood flourish,” BCB President Islam said in a statement.
“Following my short visit to Pakistan yesterday and given the forthcoming outcomes of our discussions, I request Pakistan to play the ICC T20 World Cup game on 15 February against India for the benefit of the entire cricket ecosystem.”
The dispute stemmed from the ICC’s decision to replace Bangladesh with Scotland last month after Bangladesh refused to play tournament matches in India. Dhaka’s decision followed the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was bought for $1 million by the IPL’s Kolkata Knight Riders, but on Jan. 3 the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ordered Kolkata to release Mustafizur without a public explanation but amid regional tensions.
Pakistani cricket authorities subsequently announced boycotting the match against India at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Feb. 15. An India-Pakistan fixture is the sport’s most lucrative asset, generating a massive share of global broadcasting and sponsorship revenue.
“This decision [to play India in T20 World Cup] has been taken with the aim of protecting the spirit of cricket, and to support the continuity of this global sport in all participating nations,” the Pakistani government said.
“We remain confident that our team will carry the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride onto the field as they compete for global glory.”
