Key Afghanistan Gas Pipeline Nears Completion, Ministry Says

The Sheberghan-Mazar gas pipeline project in northern Afghanistan is in its final stages, with testing underway, the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said last week. 

Homayoun Afghan, a ministry spokesperson, said the pipeline's welding and installation are complete, and only anti-corrosion tests remain, Tolo News reported on Saturday. 

He added that the project, costing 6.9 million Afghani, is expected to transmit approximately 1.5 million cubic meters of gas daily.

"We hope that the remaining work will also be completed during the coming year," Afghan said. He noted that factories in Balkh province and the city of Mazar-e-Sharif will benefit from a reliable natural gas supply upon completion.

The 94.5-kilometer pipeline was reportedly 50% complete before the Taliban's return to power. However, the new Taliban government committed to ensuring the project’s completion. In mid-December 2023, Afghan Gas Company officials confirmed that the project was underway and was being financed by the new Taliban government. 

Economic analysts emphasised the project's significance and called for measures to attract domestic and foreign investment.

"These projects are very important and fundamental," Taj Mohammad Talash, an economic analyst, told Tolo News. 

"We hope that machinery capable of processing petroleum materials within Afghanistan will be imported by the Islamic Emirate so that we can process our mineral resources domestically."

Abdul Shakur Hadaewal, another economic expert, said that Afghanistan's investment climate is favourable, expressing his optimism in the project attracting more investments.

"In Afghanistan, any country that wishes to invest and has the intent to do so will find the environment favourable—there is no doubt about that,” Hadaewal said.

He noted that “The Islamic Emirate provides facilitation, and the people are very optimistic,” adding that these initiatives can create more jobs for the local population, helping them improve their living standards.