Future dialogue: US-Iran détente brings fresh fervour to pipeline

Minister terms project crucial, says country hopeful.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said that the government aspired to pursue the Pak-Iran gas pipeline, terming it crucial for the country to meet its energy needs. Iqbal said that the government will hold discussions with Iran about the financial cost of the project while speaking at the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU).

Previously, Iran had been hit by American-led sanctions that forced countries to cut off relations with Iran’s central bank, effectively ending major trade with the country. The Iran-Pakistan pipeline was one such project. However, last week Iran and the Security Council permanent members plus German (P5+1) reached an interim agreement, which will be in place until a final one is reached within six months.



Pakistan, along with many other nations, hopes that a successful resolution of the issue will allow it to resume trade ties with Iran, finally resuming work on the much-needed pipeline.

The function was arranged by the Department of Iqbaliyat, the Directorate of Student’s Advisory, AIOU and `Rebaat-e-Iqbal Pakistan’. The minister acknowledged the government’s initiative to make the system more transparent and improve the tax collection process. “The government has increased tax collection significantly which was nine percent of GDP earlier.” He further said that the revenue generated through taxes will be diverted toward development projects, as the country will not be able to progress while depending on foreign aid.

Iqbal also said that Pakistan has made progress in the higher education sector. While addressing the youth, Iqbal said that dignity can never be earned through charity and one must earn it through education. Vice-Chancellor AIOU Professor Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi, on the occasion, said that AIOU will continue its Iqbal day activities across the country until February 15, 2014. The university has 1.35 million students enrolled, among which 58% are girls, and is holding different schemes worth Rs100 million to support deserving students in pursuing their education.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2013.

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