Snub to US threats: Landmark moment

Zardari, Ahmadinejad launch Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.

IRAN/ CHABAHAR:

In one of the boldest moves snubbing consistent US pressure and threats, Islamabad and Tehran formally launched the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project with a resounding message for the world: do not define for us, we have our own definitions.

Addressing the inauguration and groundbreaking ceremony held at Gabd Zero Point on the Pak-Iran border, President Asif Ali Zardari said, “The IP gas pipeline project is a lifeline for Pakistan and it will bring prosperity in the region. Let us contribute towards prosperity and interdependence among neighbours through mutual cooperation.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, “Iran is facing significant pressure regarding its nuclear programme. However, the IP gas pipeline project has nothing to do with our nuclear programme.”

He pledged that the IP gas pipeline project would bring peace in the region and therefore it should not be derailed.

Present at the ceremony were many prominent representatives of different countries including a 300-member strong Pakistani delegation led by President Zardari and comprising the country’s foreign minister, petroleum minister and National Assembly speaker and a number of prominent politicians.



“Islamabad faces immense challenges but the world does not understand our problems. They mean well of us but they don’t know how to help us. Hence we have to build ourselves,” said President Zardari.

“Do not put us into different definitions. We know our definition in the world”

Despite consistent US pressure and threats of sanctions, different countries including Oman, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Afghanistan and Turkmenistan extended diplomatic support to the IP project with their representatives present at the launch ceremony.

The 1,600-kilometre pipeline, projected to cost around a whopping $1.2-1.5 billion, would enable the export of 21.5 million cubic meters of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan on a daily basis.

Though this project has been inaugurated, it may face a bottleneck in the future if Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) comes into power. The federal government had invited Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to attend the launching ceremony but he did not participate in the event, raising various questions regarding the fate of the project.

Although Pakistan and Iran were set to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to inaugurate an oil refinery at the Gwader Port costing of $4 billion, no signing took place during the IP inauguration ceremony due to unknown reasons.

President Zardari maintained that detractors believed that democracy would not last in Pakistan but it did and “we gave five years to democracy”.

“Each region is trading with the other region and we have to trade with Iran,” Zardari said, as if responding pre-emptively to the US. “Our relations might get warm and cold but we cannot change our geographical location.”

Meanwhile, the Iranian president said that negative propaganda was launched against this project. “We will complete it soon and gas flow will start to Pakistan,” he vowed. He maintained that Pakistan and Iran had immense potential to trade.

He said there should be regional cooperation between different countries to bolster mutual cooperation and prosperity in the region.

Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain said that the launching of the IP gas pipeline project was a turning point in the relations of the two countries. “This project will boost growth by 5%,” Hussain said adding that it would create over 10,000 jobs.

US expresses concerns

US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland has reiterated Washington’s stance on the IP pipeline saying they had serious concerns about the project.

“We have serious concerns if this project actually goes forward; the Iran Sanctions Act would be triggered. We have been straightforward with Pakistan on this,” said the spokesperson.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2013.