News World Pakistan to push forward on gas project with Iran

Pakistan to push forward on gas project with Iran

Islamabad:  Pakistan will push forward with a controversial pipeline to import natural gas from neighboring Iran, Pakistan said Tuesday, a project opposed by the United States.The pipeline will link Iran's gas fields with energy-starved Pakistan,



However, no details were given on how Pakistan plans to overcome the numerous problems associated with the project, such as funding and the risk of sanctions.

The ministry said experts from both sides would meet soon to accelerate work on the pipeline.

Pakistani officials in the Tehran meeting also reiterated their government's commitment to fulfill its contractual obligation to the pipeline and stressed that the project is of “immense importance” to meeting Pakistan's energy needs.

Islamabad hopes the pipeline will help alleviate the country's energy crisis, especially electricity shortages. Gas is used to fire many of the nation's power plants, but insufficient quantities mean rolling blackouts are common.

The agreement with Iran stipulates that Pakistan must construct its side of the pipeline by December 2014 but the project has met repeated delays.

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