ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan: Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkmenistan Murad Ashraf on Saturday said the relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan were important in view of the region’s strategic position, politics and economics.
Talking to the state-run news agency, the envoy said there existed immense scope for collaboration between Pakistan and Turkmenistan in projects related to Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and connectivity links including rail, road and fiber optic network.
The ambassador said the Turkmen side in the Joint Government Commission’s meeting held last month, showed interest to resume air links with Pakistan under the Agreement which previously remained effective from year 1993 to 2000.
Murad Ashraf said the Civil Aviation Authorities of the two countries would meet in near future to settle the modalities of resumption of flights.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain accompanied by the First Lady Begum Mehmooda Mamnoon Hussain and the Minister of State for Petroleum Jam Kamal arrived in Ashgabat to attend the opening ceremony of 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games.
Upon arrival in Turkmenistan’s Capital on a three-day official, Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Dadebay Amangeldiyev received the visiting dignitaries at the Ashgabat International Airport.
Talking about the president’s visit to Ashgabat on the eve of fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the ambassador said his visit was significant as a source of encouragement for the 130-member sports contingent from Pakistan which was participating in different categories including Wrestling, Taekwondo, Athletics, Weight-lifting, Tennis, Swimming, Kick-boxing and Ju-jitsu, Belt-Wrestling and Billiards.
The ambassador said the participation of a 13-year-old Pakistani swimmer Jahan Ara Nabi, the youngest amongst the 5,500 athletes from 62 Countries at the fifth Asian Indoor Games, was a moment of pride for Pakistan.
