‘Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline must be top priority’

[nadeemkhan110]

ISLAMABAD: Economist and former finance minister Dr Hafiz Pasha believes that Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project is the most viable and feasible energy project for Pakistan and needs to be completed at the earliest.

In an Interview with IRNA, Dr Pasha said that the gas pipeline project should be the top priority in Iran-Pakistan relations.

“This project has to be revived at the earliest, because it is most viable and feasible project for Pakistan,” he noted.

Mr Pasha said that as compared to other energy projects including Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI), CASA-1000 and Qatar LNG, the IP gas pipeline is the most suitable project.

“Price of the IP is very attractive and it should be the first priority for Pakistan,” he stressed.

Expressing his views Mr Pasha said that Pakistan should also try to sign bilateral trade agreement with Iran with special focus on the exports of rice and textile products from Iran and import of oil products and other things from Iran. “So far we don’t have any such agreement with Iran,” he noted.

“We should take immediate steps to enhance our trade with Iran after removal of sanctions from the Islamic Republic,” he said, adding after the lifting sanctions, new opportunities are emerging in Iran and being first neighbour of Iran, Pakistan should take advantage of this situation.

The economist added that strong economic and trade ties are in the interest of both Iran and Pakistan.

He said that the current volume of trade between Iran and Pakistan is less than its potential and capacity of the neighbouring countries.

“But I again insist that the IP gas pipeline should be the top priority in Iran-Pak ties, we are importing LNG from Qatar which is quite far away and expensive,” he said.

The former minister went on to say that IP is more important for Pakistan because of its proximity and the price is very reasonable.

Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project, once known as the ‘Peace Pipeline’, is about 1,900-kilometre long pipeline which will transfer natural gas from Iran to Pakistan when completed.
Sources: Dawn and The News

 

[Spy Master]

No permissions from dady arabia...

post reported...

 

[hussain0216]

Look do it or dont do it!

Dont just keep talking about it, you make us sound indian

 

[LA se Karachi]

The primary issue is price. If Iran offers NG at comparable rates to others like Qatar/UAE, the I-P gas pipeline project could bring great benefits to both countries. I don't think that Iran should try to push Pakistan too much on price. It recently had sanctions removed and there is a very large, energy-starved neighbor that borders it that would import large amounts of NG at the right price. Iran should make sure it happens as soon as possible.

 

[SBD-3]

Hafiz Pasha is doing more of TC of IRNA than describing the ground realities. If Mr.Pasha is so eager for that, he should use his good offices to convince Yankees to lift financial sanctions to allow Pakistan to secure financing for the IPGPL. Not to mention the price renegotiation with Iran which would follow after the financing is secured for the project.

 

[nadeemkhan110]

post reported...

our politicians are the problem they actually can't be brave and honest like our army.

 

[GenerallyKhan]

our politicians are the problem they actually can't be brave and honest like our army.

Priority list of Government of Pakistan:

1. CPEC
2. CPEC
3. CPEC
......

 

[wiseone2]

The primary issue is price. If Iran offers NG at comparable rates to others like the Qatar/UAE, the I-P gas pipeline project could bring great benefits to both countries. I don't think that Iran should try to push Pakistan too much on price. It recently had sanctions removed and there is a very large, energy-starved neighbor that borders it that would import large amounts of NG at the right price. Iran should make sure it happens as soon as possible.

iranians are too greedy to sell at market rate

 

[volatile]

Iranian gas is and will be too expensive

 

[Furqan Sarwar]

Definitely it is on priority list however Pakistan and Chinese Govt can't start work on it as Iran is still under some sanctions.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China–Pakistan_Economic_Corridor

Liquefied natural gas power LNG projects are also considered vital to CPEC. The Chinese government has announced its intention to build a $2.5 billion 711 kilometre long liquid natural gas pipeline from Gwadar to Nawabshah in province as part of CPEC. The pipeline is designed to be a part of the 2,775 kilometre long Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline, with the 80 kilometre portion between Gwadar and the Iranian border to be connected when sanctions against Tehran are eased; Iran has already completed a 900 kilometre long portion of the pipeline on its side of the border.

The Pakistani portion of the pipeline is to be constructed by the state-owned China Petroleum Pipelines Bureau. It will be 42 inches in diameter, and have the capacity to transport 1 billion cubic feet of liquified natural gas every day, with an additional 500 million cubic feet of additional capacity when the planned off-shore LNG terminal is also completed. The project will not only provide gas exporters with access to the Pakistani market, but will also allow China to secure a route for its own imports.

The project should not be confused with the $2 billion 1,100 kilometre North-South Pipeline liquified natural gas pipeline which is to be constructed with Russian assistance between Karachi and Lahore with anticipated completion by 2018(Project status not confirmed as Russia is under sanction). Nor should it be confused with the planned $7.5 billion TAPI Pipeline which is a planned project involving Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.