Twisted pipeline

The gas pipeline project proposed as a means to supply energy from Iran to Pakistan appears to have developed as many kinks and twists as a garden hosepipe. Islamabad is already facing intense pressure from Washington not to go ahead with the $7.6 billion pipeline. It was reminded of this again the other day when, during meetings with senior government officials in Pakistani leaders in Islamabad, US Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke spoke of new legislation to be introduced soon in the US Congress to further tighten sanctions on Iran and on companies that do business with it. Prior to this, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had announced – perhaps somewhat hastily – that Pakistan would follow US sanctions. For reasons that are obvious, the comments had come under severe attack. The idea that Pakistan may be putting US interests even ahead of its own, and squandering an opportunity to bring in much needed energy supplies, obviously brought with it anger and angst from many quarters.

Evidently in response to this, the very next day, the prime minister reversed what he had said on this sensitive issue. Speaking at a lunch hosted by him for members of parliament, he said that Islamabad intended to abide by UN sanctions but not those that were coming from America. This practice has been followed consistently, as a part of Pakistan’s international commitments. It may indeed prove difficult to go ahead with the pipeline once the UN restrictions come in. The end result, whether US or UN sanctions are followed may not be all that different. The UN is too likely to impose new measures against Iran on the basis of its alleged possession of nuclear arms. The distinction in terms of public impact is however a fairly significant one. Pakistanis would object less fervently to UN sanctions as compared to US ones. However the link between the two has now been made by the PM; the UN too is reacting to US pressure. It will be hard to de-link this connection in the minds of people. What is even more important is that the government be seen as working for the interests of people, rather than following orders from Washington. The gas pipeline project would obviously bring many benefits.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2010.