Saudi Arabia looks askance at Pakistan’s commitment to pursue energy cooperation with Iran and is nudging the government to reconsider its decision.
Riyadh is said to have offered an alternative package to meet Islamabad’s growing energy needs in an effort to persuade it to abandon Pak-Iran gas pipeline and electricity/oil import deal. Although Saudi Arabia is a brotherly country and has helped Pakistan in hard times, this move will be considered to keep Pakistan off this important pipeline.
This is not a good omen for trilateral relations. Iran’s only fault is its opposition of the US policies. Iran-Pakistan pipeline project has been pending for years due to the US.
The completion of the said project is the need of the hour because Pakistan is passing through a severe energy crisis. S Arabia should also help Pakistan meet its energy needs. I appeal to the S Arabian authorities to create better relations with Iran. Pakistan should continue on this pipeline project without taking foreign pressure.
TARIQ HUSAIN KHAN
Karachi