US lobbies Pakistan to drop IP project

[SOHEIL]

The United States has urged Pakistan to abandon the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project promising Washington will help Islamabad with the consequences of the decision.

Spokeswoman of the US State Department Victoria Nuland said on Friday that Pakistan was “one of the countries that we're working with, primarily from the US Embassy," to stop buying gas from Iran.

On December 31, 2011, US President Barack Obama signed into law new sanctions against Iran, which seek to penalize foreign institutions that do business with Iran's central bank and oil sector.

"We're talking to countries around the world about the implications of this legislation and our efforts to cut global dependence on Iran," Nuland added.

Asked if Washington is encouraging Pakistan to buy cheaper gas from US companies, she said, "I don't have anything specific on where those conversations are leading, but we are talking about all kinds of diversification."

An article published by the International Herald Tribune on Wednesday noted that Washington is trying to lure Islamabad away from the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project by offering cheaper gas to the country.

The article added that the US has stepped up efforts to lobby Pakistan to abandon not only the IP gas pipeline project, but also liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchases from its western neighbor in return for cheaper gas from US.

Pakistan's Foreign Office announced on Thursday that the gas pipeline project between the country and Iran did not come under the sanctions imposed on Tehran because of its nuclear program.

"Pakistan is committed to the Pak-Iran gas pipeline and sanctions do not cover this project," Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit added.

​

The multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline aims to export a daily amount of 21.5 million cubic meters (or 8.7 billion cubic meters per year) of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan.

Maximum daily gas transfer capacity of the 56-inch pipeline which runs over 900 km of Iran's soil from Asalouyeh in Bushehr Province to the city of Iranshahr in Sistan and Baluchestan Province has been given at 110 million cubic meters.

Iran has already constructed more than 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil.

 

[lepziboy]

dont do it

 

[SOHEIL]

dont do it

DO what ?

 

[lepziboy]

DO what ?

Don`t cancel it.No one has the right to stop pakistan from developing

 

[SinoChallenger]

Thanks to your attitude, now it will be turned into Iran-Pakistan-China project

 

[SOHEIL]

Don`t cancel it.No one has the right to stop pakistan from developing

americans think they have

 

[SOHEIL]

Don`t cancel it.No one has the right to stop pakistan from developing

americans think they have

 

[lynx]

Lets see Pakistan can stand up to US pressure?

 

[EndoClock]

Tell them: show me the money. Then we'll talk.

 

[SOHEIL]

Thanks to your attitude, now it will be turned into Iran-Pakistan-China project

how ??? india in the Middle Of China & Pakistan

 

[lynx]

how ??? india in the Middle Of China & Pakistan

Revise Geography 101.

 

[SOHEIL]

Revise Geography 101.

oohh sh!t excuse me !!!

 

[Harry_Thomason]

Thanks to your attitude, now it will be turned into Iran-Pakistan-China project

Of course, China is very much interested in it as well. I think US would have to offset not only Iran's proposal attractiveness, but also China's deep pockets.

 

[iajj]

it is the same story over and over again: americans attempting to disrupt any friendly ties between nations that look to define their strategic interests independently. americans not only want other countries' relationship with them to be on their terms; but they actually want other countries relationship with each other to be on their terms and seek political rent on those friendships.

in the world family of nations, it is not just that friendship is impossible with americans. it is plainly the case that friendship - of anyone with anyone - is impossible with americans, with the very existence of americans.

 

[user1]

Very important for China to be a part of IP pipeline. It is a viable solution for the 'Malacca Dilemma'.

About 75% of chinese oil imports go through Malacca straits and are vulnerable to be disrupted any time by foreign forces/pirates.

IPC pipeline and gwadar-kashghar road-rail link will provide a safe and shortest land route for the energy imports and manufactured exports to and from China. It will also be vital for the development of western china and further integration of Pakistan ecomony into SCO when it finally joins it.

No wonder Americans are determined to stop that happening at any cost; a very courteous assistance is provided by India. There can be no other reason for wave of terrorism and separatist movements in Balochistan and Khyper-PK.