Islamabad should expedite the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project or wait for impending financial punishments, an Iranian source said on Saturday.
“If Pakistan does not revise its behaviour on construction of the peace pipeline, it will be fined based on the bilateral agreement (with Iran),” an informed source, who asked not to be named, said.
He further complained about the slow progress of the pipeline construction, lamenting that no tangible headway had been made in the last four months.
“In this respect, we have decided to issue an ultimatum to Pakistani energy officials warning that if they do not revise this slow trend of pipeline construction, we will put into effect the paragraph in the agreement which pertains to financial penalties,” the source added.
Asked about reasons for Pakistan’s delay in constructing the pipeline, the source said Islamabad claimed to be waiting for results of Iran’s June 14 presidential election, but went on to say that in reality the delay was a result of United States’ (US) pressures.
In March, Iran and Pakistan officially inaugurated the construction phase of the pipeline project on the Pakistani side.
The project kicked off in a ceremony attended by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari at the two countries’ shared border region in Iran’s south-eastern city of Chabahar.
The 2,700 km long pipeline was to supply gas for Pakistan and India which are suffering a lack of energy, but India has evaded talks. In 2011, Iran and Pakistan declared they would finalise the agreement bilaterally if India continued to be absent in the meeting.
According to the project proposal, the pipeline will begin from Iran’s Assalouyeh Energy Zone in the south and stretch over 1,100 km through Iran. In Pakistan, it will pass through Balochistan and Sindh but officials now say the route may be changed if China agrees to the project.
Pipe line construction requires money and there is none. Good bye pipe line.
Money is not the issue, it's will they need
There is no money that is the one big reason. Also Pakistan is a fast becoming, if not already, a surrogate state of US like, and through, Saudi Arabia. And as we all are aware, to our bad luck, the present dispensation cannot go outside the wishes of SA. Zardari, as devious as he is, knew this very well and that was the reason he showed unholy haste in signing this pipeline agreement near the end of his party's government – to put the new government on horns of dilemma. In short this agreement was never intended to be implemented and WILL not be implemented.
The people of Pakistan should float a private corporation – limited or unlimited, registered or un- registered – and invest liberally in raising the necessary funds for the speedy construction of Iran-Pakistan gas pipe line. Its shares must be traded on Pakistan stock exchanges and profits to be distributed amongst the share holders. The corporation thus formed is an appropriate answer to the enemies of Pakistan.
make IMRAN KHAN the manager, he and ASAD UMAR are the only people who can be trusted.
Money is not the issue, it's will they need
Is this the reflection of regime change in Iran ? A pro west President has been reportedly elected?
Need ISI AND ARMY permission before Government goes ahead
IP GAS PIPELINES WORK SHOULD BE CARRY ON WITH LOYALTY N BENEFITS OF NATIONAL INTRESTS BUT NOT FOR THE CORRUPTED SELFISHNESS. OK. ( A.Q.J.ITALIA.)
It is the very sincere matter, and the government of Pakistan should take it serious and must take some serious step to build it because it is a beneficial project for country and people. and other hand people must play their role concerning it . Government should remain bold and without taking pressure of USA and Saudi Arabia .the government should not delay it and construct it as soon as possible.
Actually call in China and turn the pipeline through North.Pakistan can collect royalties.
Everything is very expensive now, we need resources and their proper utilization.
such deals need courage n pakistani leaders dnt hav ths quality so called leadres of pakistan bt in reality the puppets in the hands of US
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