Pakistan’s Chairman Senate, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, has called on Turkmenistan to advance key regional connectivity projects, including the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, and to explore investment opportunities through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The appeal was made during a meeting with Turkmenistan’s Ambassador, Atadjan Movlamov, at the Parliament House on Wednesday.
The Chairman Senate apprised the ambassador of the SIFC, describing it as a one-window facility designed to streamline foreign investment. He extended a formal invitation for Turkmenistan to consider opportunities in Pakistan”s priority sectors, including information technology, infrastructure, and pharmaceuticals.
Underscoring the strategic importance of the relationship, Mr Gilani highlighted the vast potential for collaboration in energy, LPG, trade, and the development of railway linkages to enhance regional connectivity.
Ambassador Movlamov acknowledged Pakistan’s support and reaffirmed his country”s commitment to expanding cooperation. He expressed strong optimism for enhanced collaboration, particularly in energy, railway connectivity, transit trade, and utilising Gwadar Port.
The discussions also focused on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy. Mr Gilani noted the reconstitution of Parliamentary Friendship Groups in both nations following Pakistan”s 2024 general elections, emphasising their role in promoting dialogue. He advocated for regular exchanges of delegations to build mutual trust on regional and global issues.
In this context, invitations were extended to the President of Turkmenistan and the Speaker of the Milli Majlis to visit Pakistan. Mr Gilani expressed confidence that such high-level exchanges would further solidify bilateral relations.
The meeting recalled a series of recent high-level engagements, including visits by Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister to Turkmenistan. The Prime Minister”s participation in the UN International Forum of Peace and Trust in December 2025 was highlighted, where an invitation was extended to President Serdar Berdimuhamedow to visit Pakistan in 2026.
Both officials reflected on the historical foundations of their diplomatic ties, noting that Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Turkmenistan”s independence in 1991. The Chairman Senate reiterated Pakistan’s consistent support for Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality policy, recalling Pakistan”s role as a co-sponsor of the relevant UN General Assembly Resolution.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Gilani stated that Pakistan attaches high importance to its friendly relations with Turkmenistan and is committed to translating longstanding goodwill into tangible and mutually beneficial outcomes for the peoples of both countries.