The Iran-Pakistan pipeline is the only one in the world which is not impacted by the US and Europe. US-Iran relations not withstanding, Pakistan has the gumption and the backbone to defy the US “geethar bhapki” (fake threat) and build the pipeline. Ms. Clinton may or may not know, but there is no political party in Pakistan that can defy internal and media pressures. Neither Mr. Zardari, nor any other political party in Pakistan can shut down the IP pipeline and survive.
Image via Wikipedia
Ms Khar said Pakistan was talking to Iran about some “important projects, such as the gas pipeline, the electricity transmission projects and upgrading trade partnership”.
The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline will export 21.5 million cubic meters per day (or 8.7 billion cubic meters per year) of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan.
The maximum daily gas transfer capacity of the 56-inch pipeline crosses over 900 kilometers of Iranian territory from Assalouyeh in Bushehr province to the city of Iranshahr in Sistan-Balochestan province, is 110 million cubic meters.
“The projects which were decided with Iran include the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, transmission of electricity and upgrading the connectivity and trade between the two countries.”
The International Herald Tribune (owned by the New York Times) reported that the US was trying to lure Islamabad away from the gas pipeline project by offering cheaper gas to the country.
Mr. Zardari has already proclaimed that he will build the pipeline. FM Hina Rabbani Khar said on Thursday that the projects with Iran are in the national interest of Pakistan and will be completed irrespective of any external pressures.
Related articles
- Tehran’s Terror tiff with Delhi: Energy brings Iran closer to Pakistan (rupeenews.com)
- Pakistan should pay for Iranian Oil and Gas in Rupees (rupeenews.com)
- Delhi can never hope to replace Islamabad in US Afghan strategy (rupeenews.com)
