It should be clear to Pakistan that good relations between countries are based on economic interests.
LAHORE: After the pull-out of the state-owned Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, which was appointed as financial advisor to arrange funding for the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, it should be clear to Pakistan that good relations between countries are based on economic interests. What needs to be done now is to look for alternatives available to the government to implement this project. One option could be to encourage some of the huge private sector conglomerates of the country, like the Nishat Group, the Engro Corporation or the Dawood Group to finance the project. Another option could be to initiate a public-private sector partnership in this area to raise funds for the pipeline. Yet another option could be for the government to approach the overseas Pakistanis to finance this project.
ST Hussain
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2012.
