Defying intense pressure from United States and other world powers, Pakistan and Iran will start work on Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline in January 2013.

Islamabad, Dec 25/Nationalturk – Despite strong opposition and pressure from United States, Pakistan and Iran will start work on Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline in January 2013

Pakistan’s Geo TV quoted Iran’s Deputy Petroleum Minister as saying that construction work on Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline would be started within weeks.

“Islamabad would start working on the gas pipeline in its territory in January. The Iranian banks would provide financial sources for the project. The companies in Iran have expedited work on the project following directives by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,” Head of Iran’s National Gas Company and Deputy Petroleum Minister Jawad Oji said.

The 1300 miles long gas pipeline will go a long way in alleviating Pakistan’s worsening energy crisis. Iran is likely to supply Pakistan with 750 million cubic feet of gas a day from its massive offshore South Pars field in the Persian Gulf for the next 25 years.

According to officials if the work on the $1.6 billion project is started by January, the gas is expected to flow from the pipeline to Pakistan by 2015-2016.

The gas-pipeline project, which was first mooted in 1996, was originally intended to run 1,620 miles from Iran to India. It was known as IPI (Iran-Pakistan-India). However, India under intense pressure from United States gave up its interest in the project in 2009. Hence, now it is Iran-Pakistan pipeline project.

According to experts, Pakistan only produces 30 percent of the gas it requires. “The country desperately needs the Iranian gas for power generation — at least 5,000 megawatts, equivalent to the current peak power shortage.”

Pakistan would complete project despite opposition of world powers

On December 21, Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira had said Pakistan government would complete Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project despite reservations and opposition of certain world powers.

“It is our government that signed the pact with Iran for gas import despite world pressure. The country might face some hiccups in getting foreign loans to execute Pakistan-Iran gas project but the government would pursue this mega-project at any cost and the project would be completed on time”.

Meanwhile, Dr Asim Hussain, Advisor on Petroleum and Natural Resources to Pakistan Prime Minister, has said Pakistan-Iran pipeline Project would be completed by the end of 2014 as per schedule.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khan has also said that the gap pipe-line would be completed within given time frame.

 

Write your comments and thoughts below

Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News

 

[adrotate banner=”41″]