Amrullah Saleh: TAPI Pipeline Stalled Without Legitimate Government in Afghanistan
Amrullah Saleh, former First Vice President of Afghanistan, has said that the TAPI project has effectively come to a halt due to the region’s geopolitical situation and the Taliban’s control over the country. He emphasized that under current conditions, the pipeline is unlikely to extend beyond Kandahar.
In his recent remarks, Saleh compared the TAPI project to a “dead horse,” stating that no progress can be expected until a legitimate, constitution-based government returns to Afghanistan. He stressed the need to first restore legal and constitutional order in the country in order to move the project forward.
The TAPI pipeline—an acronym for Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India—is a key regional initiative aimed at transporting Turkmenistan’s natural gas to South Asia. The project was expected to boost economic development in the region and in Afghanistan. However, it has been suspended amid the political and security crisis following the Taliban’s takeover.
Despite the Taliban authorities promoting their commitment to the pipeline, experts argue that the lack of governmental legitimacy, ongoing security instability, and dwindling international confidence are major obstacles to advancing the TAPI project under Taliban rule.
