The pipeline on the Iranian side has almost been completed.
ISLAMABAD: An Iranian-Pakistani consortium will start work next week on a much delayed $7.5 billion gas pipeline from Pakistan to Iran that has aroused strong US opposition, Pakistani officials said Friday.
The date was announced after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari held talks in Tehran with Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who urged Islamabad to press ahead with the project.
"The groundbreaking is going to be performed on March 11 on the Pakistani side of border and we hope that the presidents of the two countries will be present on the occasion," a senior Pakistani official told AFP, requesting anonymity.
He said the ceremony would mark the start of work by an Iranian-Pakistani consortium on the 780-kilometre (485-mile) pipeline earmarked on the Pakistani side of the border, which is said to cost some $1.5 billion.
A second Pakistani official also confirmed March 11 as the start date.
The pipeline on the Iranian side has almost been completed.
But Pakistan has run into repeated difficulties over the project, in finding the money and over US opposition and the threat of possible sanctions due to Iran's controversial nuclear activities.
The United States says it is providing Pakistan with alternative means to help overcome its crushing energy crisis and to avoid sanctions.
"It's in their best interests to avoid any sanctionable activity, and we think that we provide and are providing... a better way to meet their energy needs," State Department deputy acting spokesman Patrick Ventrell said Wednesday.
Islamabad has said it will pursue the gas pipeline project regardless, calling it vital towards overcoming debilitating blackouts and suffocated industry.
Correction: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect image attached to it. The photo has been replaced.
COMMENTS (23)
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China and Iran deserve to be given the Most Favorite Nations statuses instead of India and if Pakistani leaders want to give the Most Favorite Nation status to any country then China and Iran are the only neighbors countries deserving for this the Most Favorite Nation's status because China and Iran have proven that they are really and truly time tested and all seasons comrades of Pakistan that any neighbor countries and most especially importantly more than USA...... Pakistan-China and Pakistan-Iran comradeship always long live and bye bye USA because now US' monopoly and supremacy are going near to be ended on Pakistan and one day that shall come surely Insha Allah when US' monopoly and supremacy on Pakistan shall be ended forever and that day is not so far now when Pakistan shall stand on its own feet and shall get real,true and uninterrupted sovereignty and self-reliance Insha Allah Almighty......
Something is better than nothing well I am happy with this projects aprroval Mash'Allah Its a very positive step of this govt by far!! Well Appreciated.
With this deal, PPP has won for another five years in power. After taking office, the deal will drag on its feet for another 65 years. Well done.
Nobody has noticed here that this deal has brought in a full fledge oil refinery from Iran in Gawadar.....We definitely needed international players' presence in Gawadar, so that world should recognise its strategic importance.Now i can see Russia also leaping towards this side.
$7.5 Billion? Why the increase of $6 Billion? Further -- if this deal is going to be paid through increased taxes and fuel surcharges - why not start that immediately? Talks cheap - be interesting to see if govt has the guts to raise the money - be interesting to see if the pubic suddenly starts to pay taxes and utility bills.
Thanks for updating the map.
Lets not drag this good piece of work into politics. It will provide a good deal of energy and prosperity eventually only if it taken to task with honesty. Lets hope that a negative geopolitical scenario wont be created by Iran and China. And well, no one can intimidate us and disrespect us without our consent. So no need to be pressurized by world powers who have stakes in the region.
This will be a big economic achievement. Consistent US opposition gives us all the right cues and reasons to pursue the project and make it a success. Uncle Sam must understand it is cheaper for Pakistan to do business next door than buying gas from a farther distance. We should not toe US-Iran agenda.
President Zardari and his team deserve kudos on this project.
I am thinking for only these two things mentioned above in the second comment - PPP deserve to be in power again and don't let the nation suffer from PML N + JUI F + LJ, +JUD etc.
Thankyou Tribune for correcting the Pakistani Map...good work appreciated
@Voice of D.I.Khan: And they were celebrating it in punjab assembly few days ago as 'big achievments' lol
What the heck is wrong with ET guys as they can't even show the map correctly?
Please correct the Pakistani map
Army should establish checkpoints all across the Pakistani portion of this pipeline to ensure that it remains intact. Security should also be provided to the construction workers. We don't want this landmark project to be marred by sponsored terrorism.
@Salman: It is an international convention. Disputed territories aren't acceded in official graphics.
If the US is not happy with this project then this is definitely good news for Pakistan!
Newspaper administration should render an apology and immediately correct the map shown above. or they agree to Indian stance that Pakistan has no right over Kashmir?
Thank You Mr. President for This land Mark Decision
A very good news indeed. Pakistan should not sccumb to the pressure of sanctions. Privileged people will definitely try to frighten the people of Pakistan.
Shabaash !!!
The Govt. should announce a high alert on March 11. The forces that do not want this deal (i.e., the US, Saudi) may try to harm someone just like it has always been.
We should not let international force stop projects that are better for the people of Pakistan.
Way to go... Two good things done by this govt. 1. Handing over Gawadar Port to China. 2. Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline.
Pakistan is not afraid of sanctions like Iran.