Pak-Iran pipeline project to be formally launched on 11th March

Radio Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari says Iran Pakistan gas pipeline project will be formally launched on 11th of this month. He was speaking after inaugurating 3 separate projects in Lahore today (Monday) including Prem Nagar Dry Port project of Railways and Allai Khwar and Jinnah Hydro power projects. The President said Pakistan-Iran pipeline project is aimed at meeting country's growing energy needs and is not against any other country. He said Pakistan is a sovereign country and has every right to pursue projects in national interest and did not intend to offend anyone. He said Pakistan is contributing to world peace and stability. He said pipeline project should be viewed purely in the context of meeting Pakistan's energy needs and hoped that the critics will appreciate the energy requirements of the country. Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said the President underlined the need for exploiting all available resources to overcome energy shortage. He expressed the confidence that by pursuing people centric policies Pakistan would soon overcome its energy shortages. The President said that addition of dry port at Prem Nagar which was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities will almost double the capacity of existing facility from 4 to 7 million tonnes per annum.