Iran-Pakistan: a moment of rejoicing

This project would rid us of gas shortage, energy deficiency and provide a sense of self-esteem to Pakistani citizenry

It is indeed a moment of rejoicing. The people are happy that the Government of Pakistan is finally resolute on going ahead with the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project. People are even more happy at the fact that the rumour mill that was bent upon tarnishing the image of the PPP-led government and the PPP co-chairman and President, Asif Ali Zardari, has come to a standstill.

The PPP leadership must be congratulated for taking such a bold and wise decision that is going to lead to an economic turnaround and prosperity. It was able to tackle this decision because the party has its roots with the masses that has provided them sufficient strength to remain steadfast despite threats of sanctions and other stringent measures by the US. Pakistan can now be rated among independent nations that have the ability to take decisions that are in the best interest of its people. This was already expected since the PPP government draws strength from the masses and from Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s philosophy that “people are the fountain of power”. However, some media persons, as well as jealous opponents, have continued to work day and night to paint the incumbent Pakistani leadership as obsequious, which does the foreign masters’ bidding. The detractors forgot to take notice of one important factor that a government elected by the masses and committed to the masses’ welfare can’t afford to follow the dictates of external powers.

Prime Minister (PM) Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and his government has been endeavouring for quite some time to remove the bottlenecks and put the Iran-Pakistan (IP) project on a fast track. After the government paved the way for the smooth take-off of the project, the added strength and impetus came from President Zardari’s visit to Iran, where he had a meeting with his counterpart President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During this high profile meeting, it was agreed that the pipeline project will be completed in a period of 15 months. A very encouraging statement was given on this occasion by Ayatollah Khamenei who stated that the project should continue despite hostilities.

President Zardari’s visit to Iran should be regarded as a practical step towards the finalisation of the IP gas pipeline project. One of the fruits of this visit is the formation of a joint IP contracting company that will complete the pipeline’s construction within the next year and a half.

If one were to evaluate the overall performance of the PPP during its different tenures, the IP gas pipeline project is yet another landmark after the Pakistan Steel Mills, the Old Age Benefit Scheme and the nuclear programme.

In fact, progress as well as empowerment of the masses is the hallmark of the PPP that has also boosted the people’s morale by pushing the IP gas project forward without getting deterred. The decision-making abilities of President Zardari and Prime Minister Ashraf have also been acknowledged through the length and breadth of the country and among all prominent sectors of national life, including the intelligentsia. As a result of the diplomatic finesse displayed, American pressure appears to have subsided, as declared by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. If that is the case, then it can be counted as another success of the sitting government. The success is thus two-fold, which means that on the one hand, this project would rid the country of gas shortage and energy deficiency and, on the other hand, it would provide a sense of self-esteem and dignity to the Pakistani citizenry.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2013.