Tribune Take: Pakistan holding back Iran-Pak gas pipeline
Iran is ready to bend over backwards to facilitate Pakistan as long as the project goes through, says Khurram Baig.
In today’s episode of Tribune Take, we look at the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and how much Pakistan needs it.
Khurram Baig, Business Editor of The Express Tribune, says Pakistan needs new sources of gas supply because its own reserves are getting shorter day by day and if this project doesn't materialise very soon, the country will run into problems.
Speaking about the delays, he says that Iran has already constructed its portion of the pipeline; however Pakistan has not even started working on it. Furthermore, Pakistan now demands to get the Iranian gas fields re-certified by a third party to confirm Iran’s claims about the fields. The negotiation due to this was holding up the project.
About Pakistan’s insistence on cheaper rates, Baig suggests that Pakistan should get on with the project despite reservations and negotiate pricing as the process goes along. More so because a clause in the agreement states that Pakistan can ask for cheaper rates if it is getting gas for lesser price from somewhere else.
Read Khurram Baig’s articles here.
The Tribune Take daily news web show will appear on the tribune.com.pk home page.
The Take will feature in-depth interviews and analysis with editors and reporters who are covering the major stories, exploring front page events and major ledes. The news analysis covers the way The Express Tribune examines a story, how we cover it and why.
Khurram Baig, Business Editor of The Express Tribune, says Pakistan needs new sources of gas supply because its own reserves are getting shorter day by day and if this project doesn't materialise very soon, the country will run into problems.
Speaking about the delays, he says that Iran has already constructed its portion of the pipeline; however Pakistan has not even started working on it. Furthermore, Pakistan now demands to get the Iranian gas fields re-certified by a third party to confirm Iran’s claims about the fields. The negotiation due to this was holding up the project.
About Pakistan’s insistence on cheaper rates, Baig suggests that Pakistan should get on with the project despite reservations and negotiate pricing as the process goes along. More so because a clause in the agreement states that Pakistan can ask for cheaper rates if it is getting gas for lesser price from somewhere else.
Read Khurram Baig’s articles here.
The Tribune Take daily news web show will appear on the tribune.com.pk home page.
The Take will feature in-depth interviews and analysis with editors and reporters who are covering the major stories, exploring front page events and major ledes. The news analysis covers the way The Express Tribune examines a story, how we cover it and why.