IPI project delayed under US pressure
General Monday, August 10th, 2009The government is under severe US pressure to postpone Pak-Iran gas pipeline project due to which it is committing delay to formally get the project approved from the federal cabinet.
A senior official in the ministry of petroleum on the condition of anonymity told that Pakistan is under constant pressure from the US for the postponement of the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project due to which feasibility work on the Pak-Iran gas pipeline is moving slowly.
He said that former petroleum advisor, Dr. Asim Hussain, was in favor of the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project but he was also confronted with criticism from some elements for favouring Pak-Iran gas pipeline project.
He further revealed that government of Pakistan was facing constant pressure from the US after Pakistan and Iran had inked agreement on June 5, 2009. However, according to the agreement, both the countries will have to get approval of the project from their respective governments before September 5, 2009.
He further added the government is facing pressure for the greater national interests for the past four months. However, the current month of August enjoys significant importance in this connection.
If government formally approves the project, then the work of laying the gas pipeline will be accomplished by next four years.
He urged the government to present Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project in the parliament for final approval soon otherwise Pakistan may be deprived of this project after September 5, 2009 in terms of gas sale, purchase accord.
He said this during his exclusive talks with Online Sunday with reference to his resignation. The former petroleum adviser said he had expressed his desire to resign from his office during his meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday night and this was accepted. He was of the view that Pak-Iran gas pipeline project was of vital importance to meet the energy requirements of Pakistan, adding Pakistan could save 5 million dollars on daily basis in the event of completion of this project. However, the project could be shelved for ever if Pakistan and Iran failed to seek final approval from their respective parliaments in this respect till September 5, he cautioned.
He pointed out certain elements were opposing Pak-Iran gas pipeline project but the government would have to materialise this project in the supreme national interest at every cost.
He said his personal engagements were behind the tendering of resignation, adding his three private major hospitals located in Karachi were being badly affected for lack of his attention.
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on Aug 10 2009. Filed under