Keeping politics aside
While one may strongly differ with some of Iran’s policies, what one cannot ignore is that Pakistan has a long history of good and, at times, highly fruitful relations with Tehran. For the last few years, Pakistan has been facing crippling power-cum-gas shortages. These have slowed down industrial production, paralysed business activity, and made life difficult for the common man. The shortages have the potential of destabilising the government and discrediting the entire system. Urgent implementation of the Iran-Pakistan gas-cum-power projects offers the only way out of the woods. The message from the Iranian government to implement all development projects agreed upon between the two countries delivered by the visiting Iranian Interior Minister should be welcomed.
The implementation of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipe project was delayed mainly on account of strong opposition from the US on political grounds. Pakistan was urged instead to go for the import of gas and power from Central Asia. Washington also promised to help Islamabad overcome power and gas shortages. For this an energy dialogue was initiated between the two countries. The plans to import gas and energy from Central Asia hit snags on account of the unsettled conditions in Afghanistan. Pakistan cannot afford to wait till the government in Kabul is able to establish its writ over the country. With the deterioration of relations between Washington and Islamabad, American enthusiasm for strategic relationship has abruptly ended. In the latest meeting on energy related issues this month, the US delegation parried requests for financial assistance for the $12 billion Diamer Bhasha Dam and technical cooperation to tap more than 100 trillion cubic feet of tight gas reserves in the country.
There is no way out other than moving full speed to implement the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. The 1,000MW Taftan-Quetta power transmission line should also be installed without wasting time. Feasibility studies of other gas-cum-power projects with Iran should also be undertaken. While Pakistan needs to revive relations with the US, the later has to be reminded that it is best to keep politics apart from economic matters.
