Pakistan has decided to go ahead with the gas pipeline project with Iran despite the opposition from the US. The Ministry of External Affairs has suggested that there should be no further delay in this matter. Sources say that this decision was made before the recent statements of the US authorities.
According to Daily Business Record, the petroleum division has been proposed to make progress on the gas pipeline project with Iran possible. As this project is very important for the energy sector, there is no room for further delay.
The State Department’s proposal for a petroleum division predates recent remarks by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lue on the project, sources familiar with the matter said.
During an inter-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the representative of the Petroleum Division said that the Federal Cabinet and the Cabinet Committee on Energy have approved the recommendations of the caretaker ministerial committee prepared on the instructions of the Prime Minister.
240 km section revealed to be incomplete in Iran
The project will be completed in September 2025. The representative further said that Iran also has to complete its 240 km section. It has a timeline of 18 to 24 months associated with approval of $160 million in funds. This project will provide gas for 25 years. According to sources, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Bloom recently met Petroleum Minister Mossadegh Malik and conveyed a message to Washington on the gas pipeline project with Iran.
Donald Lu recently told a US Congress committee that Pakistan could face US sanctions if it goes ahead with the gas pipeline project with Iran.
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2024-04-18 00:16:34