Addressing a press conference in Islamabad‚ Executive Director SDPI Abid Suleri said Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project is the best among all other options available including Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline project.
Regarding international sanctions‚ he said Pakistan can avoid them by converting the project into a Bilateral Investment Treaty or applying for waiver in the United Nations.
He said both Turkey and Armenia had been getting a waiver because of their energy needs.
Abid Suleri said Pakistan needs to tap one hundred thousand cubic feet Shale gas reserves to become self-reliant in natural gas.
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I took this news item with big surprise. Now the credibility of SDPI is doubtful. The Executive Director in office is steering away SDPI from good governance. His decisions benefiting only to his close relatives, hired during his tenure. The public interest comes second. The best is to public the notes to two members of BOG against his corruption diverting scarce resources of donors from poor and disadvantaged people. When Media will highlight his corruption?
Pakistan can/ should go for the IP project which will satisfy its genuine and urgent energy requirement needed for its economy. UN / USA can not ignore it if presented properly with facts and figures.. In the process to punish Iran( for nuclear program) world body can not punish the innocent other countries stripping their right to survive and develop. the current proposed price of gas from Iran is still cheaper while comparing with the energy produced using furnace oil. Pakistan can leverage its genuine demand while allowing NATO/ USA exit route for its combat troops and logistics from Afghanistan.
Why wasn't this the line the title? Very misleading title:
"Executive Director SDPI Abid Suleri said Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project is the BEST among all other options available including Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline project"
And yes, at least try to avoid sanctions. If it doesn't work then we can think of next step.
That ... is the main point. Rest is all sub-points.
Was this study funded through USAID funds...??
Turkey and Armenia already had pipelines pre sanctions and both are on better terms with the USA - further - your not going to get UN waiver unless the USA withdraws from the UN - not likely. . Lastly - Pakistan should ask Turkey how reliable Iran has been in providing gas. You might find that Turkey's number one complaint is that the amt of Iranian gas is significantly reduced during the winter months (when it's needed most) as Iran doesn't have enough supply to keep it's own people warm while meeting it's contractual obligations. It's called "due diligence" something every business/country is suppose to do BEFORE committing to a major deal.