has reiterated that Islamabad will not stop the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project at any cost.
Zardari made the remarks upon returning to Pakistan after a visit to Iran during which he held several meetings with the neighboring country’s high-ranking officials.
The Pakistani president further stressed that his government will continue to pursue the construction of the gas pipeline despite US threats and pressure.
Zardari’s comments come a day after an unnamed Pakistani official confirmed that an Iranian-Pakistani consortium will start the construction of the IP gas pipeline as of March 11, 2013.
The pipeline will enable the export of 21.5 million cubic meters (mcm) of Iran’s natural gas to Pakistan on a daily basis. Iran has already built more than 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil.
Washington has repeatedly voiced its discontent with the joint project, but Pakistan has dismissed rumors that it might pull out of the project amid efforts by the United States to convince the country to abandon the pipeline.
Last month, the Wall Street Journal said in a report that the United States had threatened Pakistan with stringent sanctions if it goes through the project.
“Washington has made it clear that it will impose economic sanctions on Islamabad if it begins to buy gas from Iran. Besides, the UN has mandated sanctions on any trade with the oil-rich country,” the report added.
Pakistan faces a crushing energy crisis which has caused difficulties in financing the pipeline which stretches from the border between the two countries to Nawabshah region in Pakistan.
Iran, the second largest owner of gas reserves in the world after Russia, has said it will provide USD500 million to help Pakistan build the pipeline on its side of the border.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Zardari : Pakistan won’t stop IP pipeline project at any cost
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated that Islamabad will not stop the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project at any cost.
Zardari made the remarks upon returning to Pakistan after a visit to Iran during which he held several meetings with the neighboring country’s high-ranking officials.
The Pakistani president further stressed that his government will continue to pursue the construction of the gas pipeline despite US threats and pressure.
Zardari’s comments come a day after an unnamed Pakistani official confirmed that an Iranian-Pakistani consortium will start the construction of the IP gas pipeline as of March 11, 2013.
The pipeline will enable the export of 21.5 million cubic meters (mcm) of Iran’s natural gas to Pakistan on a daily basis. Iran has already built more than 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil.
Washington has repeatedly voiced its discontent with the joint project, but Pakistan has dismissed rumors that it might pull out of the project amid efforts by the United States to convince the country to abandon the pipeline.
Last month, the Wall Street Journal said in a report that the United States had threatened Pakistan with stringent sanctions if it goes through the project.
“Washington has made it clear that it will impose economic sanctions on Islamabad if it begins to buy gas from Iran. Besides, the UN has mandated sanctions on any trade with the oil-rich country,” the report added.
Pakistan faces a crushing energy crisis which has caused difficulties in financing the pipeline which stretches from the border between the two countries to Nawabshah region in Pakistan.
Iran, the second largest owner of gas reserves in the world after Russia, has said it will provide USD500 million to help Pakistan build the pipeline on its side of the border.
has reiterated that Islamabad will not stop the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project at any cost.
Zardari made the remarks upon returning to Pakistan after a visit to Iran during which he held several meetings with the neighboring country’s high-ranking officials.
The Pakistani president further stressed that his government will continue to pursue the construction of the gas pipeline despite US threats and pressure.
Zardari’s comments come a day after an unnamed Pakistani official confirmed that an Iranian-Pakistani consortium will start the construction of the IP gas pipeline as of March 11, 2013.
The pipeline will enable the export of 21.5 million cubic meters (mcm) of Iran’s natural gas to Pakistan on a daily basis. Iran has already built more than 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil.
Washington has repeatedly voiced its discontent with the joint project, but Pakistan has dismissed rumors that it might pull out of the project amid efforts by the United States to convince the country to abandon the pipeline.
Last month, the Wall Street Journal said in a report that the United States had threatened Pakistan with stringent sanctions if it goes through the project.
“Washington has made it clear that it will impose economic sanctions on Islamabad if it begins to buy gas from Iran. Besides, the UN has mandated sanctions on any trade with the oil-rich country,” the report added.
Pakistan faces a crushing energy crisis which has caused difficulties in financing the pipeline which stretches from the border between the two countries to Nawabshah region in Pakistan.
Iran, the second largest owner of gas reserves in the world after Russia, has said it will provide USD500 million to help Pakistan build the pipeline on its side of the border.
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