ISLAMABAD: Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik announced Islamabad’s intention to approach Washington seeking a waiver for the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project on Monday.
Malik stated that Pakistan will advocate its case vigorously, aiming to secure exemption from US sanctions by presenting both technical and political arguments during informal discussions with the media.
Earlier this year, the caretaker government had decided to implement the gas line project in two phases within its territory. The initial phase involves laying a 81km segment of the pipeline from Gwadar, connecting with Iran’s portion from the gas field.
Iran has granted Pakistan an extension until September 2024 to respond positively; failure to do so may prompt Tehran to pursue an $18 billion penalty through International Arbitration based in Paris.
During the recent media interaction, the petroleum minister emphasized Pakistan’s intention to lobby for a US waiver, essential for advancing the long-delayed gas line project.
Malik confirmed the country’s readiness to commence construction on the gas pipeline project in the near future.
Sources revealed that the previous caretaker administration refrained from applying for a US waiver due to geopolitical concerns, with decisions regarding the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project handled by a ministerial oversight committee.
The Biden administration remains committed to preventing the construction of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and has communicated its stance to Islamabad, particularly regarding its concerns about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu underscored these concerns during a Congressional hearing on Pakistan, emphasizing the seriousness of engaging with Iran and its potential impact on US-Pakistan relations.
The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project has encountered numerous delays since 2014, with Iran issuing repeated notices to Islamabad, expressing its intention to pursue arbitration due to the project’s stalled progress.
Despite Pakistan citing US sanctions as a barrier to project realization, Iranian authorities contest this justification, pointing out that Iraq and Turkey have managed to utilize gas from Iran by securing waivers on US sanctions.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
