Going ahead with Pak-Iran pipeline will trigger sanctions: US

[Devil Soul]

Going ahead with Pakistan-Iran pipeline will trigger sanctions: US
By AFP
Published: March 12, 2013
WASHINGTON: Pakistan risks sparking US sanctions if it pursues its plans with Iran to build a $7.5 billion gas pipeline linking the two nations, a senior US official said in a renewed warning Monday.
“We have serious concerns, if this project actually goes forward, that the Iran Sanctions Act would be triggered,” State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said. “We’ve been straight up with Pakistan about these concerns.”
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad launched the construction of a much-delayed section of the gas pipeline with his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari at a ceremony on the border of the two neighbours.
But Nuland added: “We’ve heard this pipeline announced about 10 or 15 times before in the past. So we have to see what actually happens.”
The United States had been seeking alternative plans, saying the move with Iran would take it “in the wrong direction right at a time that we’re trying to work with Pakistan on better, more reliable ways to meet its energy needs.”
Nuland said the US was “supporting large-scale energy projects in Pakistan that will add some 900 megawatts to the power grid by the end of 2013.”
Those projects included renovating the power plants at Tarbela, the Mangla Dam, as well as modernizing others plants and building new dams at Satpara and Gomal Zam, she added.

 

[hunter_hunted]

OOOOOOOO Sanctions OOOOOOO please trigger em

 

[Leader]

Sanctions are good....

 

[ice_man]

the pipeline won't be built this is just an election drama started by PPP so go back rto sleep everyone

 

[SamranAli]

wellcome indeed.

 

[F.O.X]

the pipeline won't be built this is just an election drama started by PPP so go back rto sleep everyone

Ohh It will be Built , This wasn't PPP decision .

 

[Malik Usman]

Let them to put sanctions......this is the only way to wake up this nation...to struggle hard for their country.

 

[Sugarcane]

the pipeline won't be built this is just an election drama started by PPP so go back rto sleep everyone

Pipeline will built - gas will flow or not, that will base on geopolitical environment of 2015.

 

[ice_man]

sir this will become a new kalabagh type drama! nothing will happen. just before elections this is nothing more than a political gimmick!

 

[JanjaWeed]

They just signed the contract. 'Going ahead' will be the job of next govt. PPP just played it's card at a crucial time! Let the incoming govt face the brunt, whichever that may be! Either way... PPP scored a crucial political point...

 

[Ayush]

pak should at least try a bit of diplomacy here.perhaps should try to explain that it needs energy and also that it didn't get the same treatment as india (the indo us nuclear deal ).

 

[Cheetah786]

Let it shell be Written Let it shell be DONE.

 

[Sugarcane]

They just signed the contract. 'Going ahead' will be the job of next govt. PPP just played it's card at a crucial time! Let the incoming govt face the brunt, whichever that may be! Either way... PPP scored a crucial political point...

A big negative point in this is price of Gas (other than sanctions) - which both governments has deferred for next. After 4 months both countries will be having new governments.

 

[EagleEyes]

Nothing is going to change until U.S. offers a better deal.

 

[Devil Soul]

sir this will become a new kalabagh type drama! nothing will happen. just before elections this is nothing more than a political gimmick!

Kalabagh Dam is totally a political/provisional issue, while this pipeline is more of a geopolitical issue involving international players.... at the same time i have yet to read a statement by any political party against this project, which is good..this pipeline is a MUST for meeting energy needs of Pakistan. One can question the timing of this announcement by Zardari as elections are jus around the corner, but we must also keep in mind that everyone is on board as far as construction of this pipeline is concerned...