Under the Gas Sales Purchase Agreement the first flow of gas to Pakistan should have started by December 31, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
“Pakistan was bound under the contract to fulfil its commitment by starting the import of Iran’s gas supplies in December 2014,” Hamid Reza Araqi, managing director of the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), was quoted as saying by the Iranian news agency FARS.
“[How things are going] it seems unlikely for Pakistan to take any (serious) measure before the end of 2015,” Araqi said addressing a press conference in Tehran on Saturday.
He categorically rejected the rumours that Iran has decided not to fine Islamabad for its long delay in completing the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. “The terms of the contract about the fines that Pakistan should pay in case it delays fulfilling its undertakings are still alive and enforceable,” he said in plain words.
Under the Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) signed with Iran by the outgoing Pakistan Peoples Party government in 2009, the first flow of gas to Pakistan should have started by Dec 31, 2014.
In February 2014, Pakistan sent a team to Iran to seek extension in the implementation of the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project.
Iran and Pakistan officially inaugurated the construction of the border part of the multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline project in March, 2013.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2015.
COMMENTS (10)
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@Aschraful Makhlooq: Where's the logic in that? USA told you BEFORE you signed the deal that it would be subject to sanctions. Pakistan signed this deal without doing an economic feasibility study, knew it didn't have the money to build it, knew it didn't have the money to even buy the gas, and knew it would subject them to sanctions. That's Chest Thumping and nothing more ... now that you have a sore chest .. blame yourself.
@ali:
Pakistanis didn't say that when Iran helped them in 1965 war. More like Pakistan is a snake and a betrayal. No one trusts Pakistan, not even its own neighbor, even Afghanistan which is a Sunni majority hates Pakistan. On top, it is Saudi Arabia which has been spreading its Wahhabi terrorism in Pakistan due to which Pakistan is a messed up condition. Thanks to Saudi's pet Zia-ul-Haq.
The Paki failure in Management of Energy is total and absolute +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Whether it is Nandipur, Neelum Jhelum, IP or Petrol supplies.
Why is the report shy of mentioning that the agreed penalty for delay beyond 31st Dec 2014 is 3 Mn USD Per Day? +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Iran has strong friendship with India and India will make sure pak end up paying hefty fine or face another big embarrassment in international comment. But again that's the only good way pak can be in news other than terrorism.
Now US has to pay the penalties if Iran imposes on Pakistan for delaying the IP gas pipeline project because Pakistan is not starting IP gas pipeline project just due to the fear of US' sanctions and is destroying its economy instead of trusting and fearing Allah Almighty.Will US pay the penalties imposed by Iran on Pakistan now because Pakistan is acting upon US' directions/instructions regarding IP gas pipeline project faithfully and obediently to avoid US' sanctions' imposition?????
Well done Iran!
If pakistan buys Iranian gas it will be subjected to severe international sanctions. E etry one knows this. The people who signed this deal with Iran should be held accountable
While Saudis helping Pakistan with billions and hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis working in gulf the only thing Iran promises is Shia extremism and terrorism, expensive gas, and penalties. Moreover, Iran completed Iranian part of IP pipeline to help Iran send gas to it's own region. Iran is a snake in our sleeve.