Turkmenistan President Hosts Pakistani Federal Minister
Turkmenistan Welcomes Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation
On April 29, 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan hosted Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The meeting took place in the capital city, Arkadag, during the inaugural ministerial forum of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) focusing on Sustainable Development.
During the meeting, Minister Iqbal expressed his gratitude to President Berdimuhamedov for the opportunity to discuss bilateral relations. He emphasized Pakistan’s appreciation for its longstanding friendship with Turkmenistan and conveyed warm greetings from Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
President Berdimuhamedov warmly welcomed Minister Iqbal and reciprocated the greetings, underscoring the significance of the ECO Ministerial Forum. He expressed confidence that the discussions would enhance mutual cooperation and introduce new avenues for collaboration between the two nations.
The leaders discussed the robust relationship between Turkmenistan and Pakistan, which thrives on principles of friendship and mutual respect. Areas of cooperation discussed included politics, trade, energy, transport, education, and cultural exchanges. Notably, they highlighted trade and economic relations as priority sectors for both countries.
President Berdimuhamedov emphasized Turkmenistan’s commitment to boosting its energy resources and the importance of key projects. He specifically mentioned initiatives such as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and the establishment of a power transmission line, along with a fiber-optic communication line connecting Turkmenistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan. These projects aim to foster sustainable economic growth and ensure regional energy stability.
Concluding the meeting, President Berdimuhamedov and Minister Iqbal exchanged best wishes, reaffirming their belief in the potential for continued and successful cooperation across a wide array of sectors.
