A delegation from India said it would head Sunday to Lahore with an offer of natural gas to help Sharif’s government cope with an energy crisis. According to The Indian Express an official from Gas Authority of India Ltd., known by its initials GAIL, stated that natural gas from an existing pipeline fed by Qatar could be extended to the border for Pakistan’s benefit.
“This is a test case before we enter into an agreement with Pakistan for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline,” a GAIL official said on condition of anonymity. “This is a small step to win its confidence.” Turkmen officials in early 2012 agreed to sell natural gas to Asian customers through the 1,050-mile TAPI pipeline. US officials have expressed their support for the project, seen as a rival to similar plans for a natural gas pipeline backed by the Iranian government.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2013.
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@Aschraful Makhlooq Really Narrow minded comment
How shamefully Pakistan leadership is ignoring and neglecting true,sincere and honest China's and Iran's support,assistance and comradeship in any forms and manifestations to overcome energy crises and has been ready to accept assistance and support from arch rival India whereas Pakistani shameful Pakistani leadership knows it very well that India has never been sincere and honest with Pakistan to resolve all the burning,core and long-awaited issues between Pakistan-India and always accusing Pakistan of interference and violation in Indian Occupied Kashmir's and India's matters......
I wonder what stops Pakistan from exploring it's own resources. This project could only be appreciated if the price of the gas being imported from India favours the industry of Pakistan. Having said that, Pakistan needs a comprehensive energy policy and should look into every proposal seriously and objectively regardless of where this offer is coming from. I also believe that increase in trade and bilateral trade projects can help reduce the tension existing between both countries. As far as the question of supporting China is concerned I think by now we all should know that Chinese are very smart they will go for thins which favours their country. We have heard a lot of things about how China and Pakistan can benefit from each other but nothing has been done, Pakistan's new government needs to put money where their mouth is. If Pakistan needs to benefit from the centuries old trade route it needs to focus on getting out of domestic troubles consider Pakistan as part of South Asian country and increase cooperation with other countries in the region. Hostile attitude towards any country is only going to get Pakistan backwards and not going to do any good for the region as well.
India becoming an energy corridor ....... supplying gas from Gulf countries to Pakistan (and possibly all the way to China) ?????????