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Islamabad: Dr. Asim Hussain Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources has said that Afghanistan is an important strategic partner and the bilateral relation between the two countries need to be further strengthened.
He was talking to H.E Dr. Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal Minister of Finance Islamic Republic of Afghanistan who called on Dr. Asim Hussain here in Islamabad today. H.E. Mir Ahmad Jawid Sadat Afghan Deputy Minister Mines, and Mr. Abdul Ghafar Dawi, President Dawi Oil Ltd also accompanied. Mr. Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources, and other senior officers of the Ministry also attended the meeting.
Dr. Asim Hussain welcomed the Afghan dignitaries to Pakistan and emphasized that Afghanistan is an important strategic partner and strengthening of bilateral relations are imperative for the development of both the countries. Minister Petroleum and Natural Resources expressed Pakistan’s interest in export of Petroleum Products to Afghanistan and informed the Afghan delegation regarding intent of establishing Pakistan State Oil (PSO) offices in Afghanistan.
The issue of smuggling of petroleum products across Afghanistan – Pakistan borders was also discussed and it was agreed upon that effective monitoring and preventative regime should be put in place. Both the sides agreed upon the importance of TAPI pipeline project and expressed mutual consent for meeting regional energy demands.
H.E. Mir Ahmad Jawid Sadat Afghan Deputy Minister Mines, apprised that the Government of Afghanistan is seeking technical collaboration for extraction of Chromites and marble, for which Pakistani companies would be more than welcome.
Dr. Asim Hussain, stated that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources would play its part in facilitating resumption of supply of jet fuel that is required to meet indigenous commercial demands of Afghanistan.
H.E. Dr. Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal Minister of Finance, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan thanked Dr. Asim Hussain for meeting the delegation and assured that Afghanistan would provide necessary support for TAPI pipeline project that would further strengthen the brotherly relations between the two countries.
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