Pakistan: No grounds for US objection to gas pipeline project with Iran
Pakistan has dismissed the United States’ objection to its decision to start work on a joint pipeline project between the country and Iran, with its Foreign Ministry spokesperson saying it had decided to initiate work on an 80-kilometer-long segment of the pipeline.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at a weekly briefing on Thursday that there is “no room for any objections” from a third party like the United States since the project was being constructed within Pakistani territory.
“The cabinet of Pakistan decided a few days ago to start work on 80 kilometers of a Pakistan-Iran pipeline, and this is the beginning of construction of the pipeline, and it is in conformity with our commitment to the Iran-Pakistan pipeline.”
“Since this pipeline is being constructed inside Pakistani territory, we do not believe there is room for any objections by any third party at this stage,” she added.
She made the remarks when she was asked if Islamabad had contacted Washington on the decision to begin constructing the pipeline.
Last week, the IP gas pipeline project had reportedly been delayed as the US had expressed concerns about the project and refused to waive the sanctions imposed on Iran.
According to local sources, Pakistan has approached the US for a waiver to resume the project, but the US refused to give any concession.
Also, late last month, Muhammad Ali, Pakistan’s caretaker energy minister, said work on 80 kilometers (49 miles) of the pipeline would be carried out. Washington has opposed the project, saying it could violate the sanctions that it has imposed on Tehran.
The project, launched in 2013, required Pakistan to finish the construction of the pipeline on its territory by the end of 2014.
But the work stalled, upsetting Tehran, which has said it has already invested $2 billion in the pipeline on its side of the border.
Pakistan is likely to face an $18-billion fine if it terminates the gas pipeline agreement.