Dr. Zahid Anwar Khan (IR Expert): The TAPI gas pipeline is a very important project for energy deficient Pakistan. It will also benefit the South Asian regional countries including Afghanistan and India. The current Pakistani government is trying its best to overcome the energy problem of the country and stabilize its economy. So this project is very important for the industrialization and economy of Pakistan. With the enhancement of industries, the job opportunities will be created. As the situation in Afghanistan is considerably better and with stability and peace in the country there are very bright prospects of this project to be completed. As far as India is concerned, it remained a spoiler throughout the history of this project. There are gaps in the relations of Afghanistan and Pakistan relations because of the existence of irritants between the two countries. These irritants are not a big issue for the leaderships of both the countries that they cannot overcome. If leadership of both countries cooperates in this regard, it will benefit them. Hope is this that people and administration of Afghanistan will fully participate and lead economic integration projects whether it is Belt and Road Initiative, extension of CPEC or CASA 1000 project.

 A M Shahid (Former Ambassador): Turkmenistan is a central Asian country and Pakistan is striving to create good and better relationships with countries in this region as we have common regional and economic interests. Unfortunately, our projects with Turkmenistan did not completed for several reasons but efforts are being made to revise TAPI gas pipeline and electricity transmission line projects.  We also allowed Turkmenistan to use Gwadar port for trade. We can hope that after completion of these joint projects the economic relations and trade will also further improve. Pakistan is passing through a difficult time but through cooperation with regional countries and completion of important projects, this difficult phase will go away and Pakistan will once again come to prominence as its regional and strategic importance cannot be diminished. The Transit Trade agreement is also of a significant importance as it will connect the markets of Central Asia, Russia and Europe and will generate revenue and bring into being an easy trade route for imports and exports.