Summary Pakistan has principally taken the decision and PM will approach US for waiver of sanctions.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – According to documents acquired by the Dunya News, Pakistan government has decided in principal to avail China’s help in construction of the Pak-Iran gas line project.
Pakistan will hold talks with the US administration soon and request for seeking exemption from sanctions.
According to sources, PM Nawaz Sharif will hold a meeting with US President Barak Obama on the sidelines of United Nation’s Security Council meeting, and ask for exemption of sanctions imposed on dealings with Iran.
The schedule for the said meeting has been finalized in a meeting between PM advisor Sartaj Aziz and US Secretary of State John Kerry, sources say.
Pakistan might seek financial assistance from China for the construction of the pipe line in case talks with US do not prove fruitful.
Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Monday that Pakistan will not be deterred by any pressure on a pipeline project which seeks to import much-needed natural gas from Iran.
The $1.5 billion Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline is vital to meet burgeoning energy needs of Islamabad, especially as domestic gas production has remained stagnant and other energy import projects have hit a stalemate.
“There is no fear of any sanctions. We are confident that the project will go through and we are pushing for it,” Abbasi told Media persons.
The 1930km long pipeline will bring 750 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas to Pakistan.
Besides the fear of US sanctions, the government also needs to arrange money for construction of pipeline part in Pakistan.
President Zardari and former Iran President Ahmadinjad signed the agreement about the project in a ceremony earlier this year.
