Iranian envoy fears US may put obstacles in Pak-Iran gas pipeline project

ISLAMABAD: Iran Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moqaddam said that the United States may put obstacles in the payment of Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, however, both countries could overcome every hindrance, The News reported Saturday.

The envoy’s comments came a day after US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu expressed concerns regarding the boost in relations between Pakistan and Iran following the resumption of the gas pipeline project.

“Honestly, I don’t know where the financing for such a project would come from. I don’t think many international donors would be interested in funding such an endeavour,” Lu said and pointed out, “We have also not heard from the Government of Pakistan a desire for any waiver of American sanctions that would certainly result from such a project.”

Speaking at an event marking Nowruz at the embassy’s lawn, the Iranian ambassador said that a plan of action could be developed to solve this problem.

Moqaddam said that there was no scope for further extension in the agreement signed in 2009, as Iran already completed a 1,000 kilometres gas pipeline on its side at a cost of $1 billion. He highlighted that Pakistan has not yet implemented this agreement.

He added that Iran had completed its work years ago, however, it has been waiting for Pakistan to implement the agreement for the last one decade.

“The Iranian gas pipeline is in the wider interest of people of both countries,” he said, adding that through this project, Pakistan would be able to provide cheap gas to its people.

“We can find a way to remove the obstacles in the way of gas pipeline project,” he hoped.