TEHRAN
Tehran has cautioned Islamabad over falling behind schedule in fulfilling its obligations with regard to a multi-billion-dollar pipeline project that would take natural gas from Iran to Pakistan.
“Unfortunately, the Pakistani side has not taken any serious measures to deliver its commitments under the contract between Tehran and Islamabad,” Iranian Deputy Oil Minister for International and Trade Affairs Ali Majedi said.
The Iranian deputy oil minister’s remarks came after Pakistan Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that it was not possible to work on the pipeline due to sanctions against Iran.
“The Iranian side has completed more than 75 percent of the gas pipeline on Iranian soil so far,” Majedi said.
Iran has already built 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its own soil and is waiting for the 700-kilometer Pakistani side of the pipeline to be constructed.
The IP pipeline is designed to help Pakistan overcome its growing energy needs at a time when the country of over 180 million people is grappling with serious energy shortages.
