Iranian Minister for Petroleum Rostam Ghasemi has revealed that Iran has completed work on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline on its territory.

Islamabad, Feb 20: In a major development, Iranian Minister for Petroleum Rostam Ghasemi has revealed that Iran has completed work on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline on its territory.

This information was given by the Iranian minister during his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf here today.

Pakistan plans to construct about 780km of pipeline from its border with Iran, running along the Makran Coastal Highway to connect with its existing gas transmission network at Nawabshah in Sindh. Almost 665km of the pipeline will pass through Balochistan, while about 115km of it will be laid in the Sindh province.

Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project was conceived in early nineties.The gas is to be supplied from Iran’s South Pars gas field and delivered at Pak-Iran border, near Gawadar. The project is being implemented on a segmented approach whereby each country shall be responsible for construction of pipeline in the respective territory.

The pipeline will start from the onshore gas processing facility at Assaluyeh in Iran, to traverse a distance of 1,150 km upto the Iran-Pakistan border.

The project shall help a great deal in meeting the energy requirements of the Pakistan’s economy.

Rostam said Iran and Pakistan enjoyed close brotherly relations. “Pakistan and Iran could further expand their ties by expanding economic relations and leveraging their comparative economic advantages,” he said.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Prime Minister termed the agreement between Pakistan and Iran on gas pipeline project a “leap forward”.

He also thanked Iran for supplying electricity to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Iranian Minister for Petroleum Rostam Ghasemi also called on Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari today.

Pakistan government committed to bolster trade with Iran

The Pakistan president reiterated the commitment of his government to further bolster Pak-Iran bilateral trade by vigorously pursuing mega projects in all areas, particularly energy and economic fields. He also called for greater connectivity between the two countries and stressed the need to move forward on “ECO Container Train” project.

He said regular operation of ECO train would lend impetus to cargo and transit facilities between the two countries.

Zardari called for improved visa facilitation, opening of new border posts and removing tariff and non-tariff barriers for stepping up trade and commerce.

He urged businessmen of the two countries for optimum utilization of the trade and investment potential existing between the two countries. “Pakistan was examining the feasibility of starting special direct flights from Quetta and Gilgit to Mashhad,” he said.

 

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News

 

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