Zardari Cancels Iran Visit

[Surenas]

A planned visit to Tehran by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to seal a $1.5 billion Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline deal was unexpectedly cancelled on Friday amid mounting U.S. objections to the contract. (Financial Times, 9 December)

Iran has offered Pakistan $500 million to finance the long-delayed gas pipeline.

“It’s a feasible project for Pakistan. It’s the quickest route, the cheapest route where we can fulfill our energy needs,” said Asim Hussain, chief natural resources advisor to Mr Zardari. “But we are (concerned) about the sanctions. (Banking) transactions with Iran is a problem.”

The U.S. is pushing an alternative gas route known as Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline.

Uskowi on Iran -

 

[KRAIT]

IP is hard to materialize. Pakistan should rather focus on TAP if it can't get TAPI.

If one pipeline can somehow bring sanctions on Pakistan, it won't be good for its economy considering its present state.

 

[W.11]

pakistan should discover its own gas field, they are being discovered, even we have to eat grass, but dont import any gas, use home made cheap gas

 

[KRAIT]

pakistan should discover its own gas field, they are being discovered, even we have to eat grass, but dont import any gas, use home made cheap gas

Yup, better invest in using your own resources.

 

[Surenas]

pakistan should discover its own gas field, they are being discovered, even we have to eat grass, but dont import any gas, use home made cheap gas

That sounds more simple than it actually is. There is no doubt that Pakistan have to import gas on the short-term. It only have to decides from which country. Or better said: they have to decide whether they neglect American pressure or not.

 

[Surenas]

Besides that, Pakistan have to pay Iran a daily penalty of $1 million if the pipeline is not completed by the end of 2014.

 

[W.11]

That sounds more simple than it actually is. There is no doubt that Pakistan have to import gas on the short-term. It only have to decides from which country. Or better said: they have to decide whether they neglect American pressure or not.

pakistan can ban use of gas from transport, for a time being till further discoveries are made, and use the gas for common usage and industries

we can survive on our own

 

[Surenas]

pakistan can ban use of gas from transport, for a time being till further discoveries are made, and use the gas for common usage and industries

we can survive on our own

Wishful thinking.

 

[PakShah]

Uskowi on Iran -

I would like Pakistan to have good relations with Iran. Iran and Pakistan are neighbours, we have no conflicts and problems.

We have a common culture. At the same though, they need to have better relations with countries in the Persian Gulf.

Solve their territorial disputes with UAE.

They also need to accept that Pakistan is Sunni Muslim country.

 

[Surenas]

I would like Pakistan to have good relations with Iran. Iran and Pakistan are neighbours, we have no conflicts and problems.

Agreed.

We have a common culture. At the same though, they need to have better relations with countries in the Persian Gulf.

Agreed.

Solve their territorial disputes with UAE.

Agreed, but those 3 islands are ours.

They also need to accept that Pakistan is Sunni Muslim country.

Agreed.

 

[A1Kaid]

Best for a Pakistan to discover own gas and oil resources Balochistan is said to be rich in natural resources.

 

[Thorough Pro]

IP is hard to materialize. Pakistan should rather focus on TAP if it can't get TAPI.

If one pipeline can somehow bring sanctions on Pakistan, it won't be good for its economy considering its present state.

Cause in IP there is no risk of extortion by Afghan war lords and off course no leverage for India...