Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline (IPP) News & Updates.
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fawwaxs
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Pakistan not bound by US sanctions against Iran: Gilani
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will go ahead with a plan to import natural gas from Iran even if the US levies additional sanctions on the country, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said.
Gilani's comments Tuesday come two days after the US special envoy to Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, cautioned Pakistan not to ''over commit'' itself to the deal because it could run afoul of new sanctions against Iran.
The deal has been a constant source of tension between the two countries, with Pakistan arguing that it is vital to its ability to cope with an energy crisis and the US stressing that it would undercut international pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.
Gilani said Pakistan would reconsider the deal if it violated UN sanctions, but the country was ''not bound to follow'' unilateral US measures. He said media reports that quoted him as saying that Pakistan would heed Holbrooke's warning were incorrect.
The UN has levied four sets of sanctions against Iran for failing to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can produce fuel for a nuclear weapon. The latest set of UN sanctions was approved earlier this month.
The US has also applied a number of unilateral sanctions against Iran, and Congress is currently finalising a new set largely aimed at the country's petroleum industry. Both houses have passed versions of the sanctions and are working to reconcile their differences.
Pakistan and Iran finalised the gas deal earlier this month. Under the contract, Iran will export 760 million cubic feet of gas per day to Pakistan through a new pipeline beginning in 2014. The construction of the pipeline is estimated to cost some $7 billion.
While US officials have expressed opposition to the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline deal, the issue is complicated by Washington's reliance on Pakistan's cooperation to fight al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
The US also acknowledges that Pakistan faces a severe energy crisis and has made aid to the energy sector one of its top development priorities. Electricity shortages in Pakistan cause rolling blackouts that affect businesses and intensify suffering during the hot summer months.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will go ahead with a plan to import natural gas from Iran even if the US levies additional sanctions on the country, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said.
Gilani's comments Tuesday come two days after the US special envoy to Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, cautioned Pakistan not to ''over commit'' itself to the deal because it could run afoul of new sanctions against Iran.
The deal has been a constant source of tension between the two countries, with Pakistan arguing that it is vital to its ability to cope with an energy crisis and the US stressing that it would undercut international pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.
Gilani said Pakistan would reconsider the deal if it violated UN sanctions, but the country was ''not bound to follow'' unilateral US measures. He said media reports that quoted him as saying that Pakistan would heed Holbrooke's warning were incorrect.
The UN has levied four sets of sanctions against Iran for failing to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can produce fuel for a nuclear weapon. The latest set of UN sanctions was approved earlier this month.
The US has also applied a number of unilateral sanctions against Iran, and Congress is currently finalising a new set largely aimed at the country's petroleum industry. Both houses have passed versions of the sanctions and are working to reconcile their differences.
Pakistan and Iran finalised the gas deal earlier this month. Under the contract, Iran will export 760 million cubic feet of gas per day to Pakistan through a new pipeline beginning in 2014. The construction of the pipeline is estimated to cost some $7 billion.
While US officials have expressed opposition to the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline deal, the issue is complicated by Washington's reliance on Pakistan's cooperation to fight al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
The US also acknowledges that Pakistan faces a severe energy crisis and has made aid to the energy sector one of its top development priorities. Electricity shortages in Pakistan cause rolling blackouts that affect businesses and intensify suffering during the hot summer months.
ice_man
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UK says Pakistan sovereign to decide about IP gas pipeline
Updated at: 1635 PST, Wednesday, June 23, 2010
ISLAMABAD: The new British government on Wednesday said it would not interfere in any sovereign decision of Pakistan. He, however, said that his country supports the United Nations Security Council resolutions on Iran.
Regarding its relations with Pakistan British Foreign Secretary said that Pakistan is a long-term strategic partner and we desire "deeper" and "stronger" bilateral ties in all areas.
The British Foreign Secretary who is here on a three-day official visit also vowed to deepen the "strategic dialogue" with Pakistan, besides increasing its development assistance to 665 million pounds Sterling over a period of four years.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said the prime minister has explained his position, which clearly states that Pakistan was a responsible country and was aware of its international obligations.
He said Pakistan needed energy for power generation and was working on a multi pronged strategy to address the shortfall, with the assistance of Friends of Democratic Pakistan, the EU and China, and will take a decision keeping in view all these matters.
FM Qureshi and British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague at a joint press conference following their meeting said they reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Qureshi described the talks as good and said both the sides decided to carry forward the process and expand the areas of cooperation.
The British foreign secretary said his new government was committed to "a long term productive friendship with Pakistan" and would put in a new momentum.
He also spoke high of the around one million Pakistani-born diaspora in the UK and said the two sides discussed the issue of visas and other matters.
He paid rich tributes to the "sacrifices" and the resilience shown by the Pakistani people in fighting extremism and terrorism.
"I salute the efforts of Pakistan in fighting extremism and terrorism."
He acknowledged the enormous sacrifices made by Pakistan and the thousands of casualties at the hands of extremists and violent incidents.
To a question Britain's ties with India and would they have any impact on its relations with Pakistan, William Hague said he was in Pakistan to emphasize that there was vast potential of improvement and broadening of bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said Britain has relations with many countries and these do not impact ties with others.
He however said that Britain would not like to lecture either India or Pakistan how to resolve the contentious issues like the water dispute, as he believed that both the countries have the ability to resolve it on their own.
FM Qureshi said he would take up the matter when he meets his Indian counterpart in Islamabad.
Qureshi when asked about the points raised by India regarding the Mumbai attacks said, Pakistan was studying these.
UK says Pakistan sovereign to decide about IP gas pipeline
Updated at: 1635 PST, Wednesday, June 23, 2010
ISLAMABAD: The new British government on Wednesday said it would not interfere in any sovereign decision of Pakistan. He, however, said that his country supports the United Nations Security Council resolutions on Iran.
Regarding its relations with Pakistan British Foreign Secretary said that Pakistan is a long-term strategic partner and we desire "deeper" and "stronger" bilateral ties in all areas.
The British Foreign Secretary who is here on a three-day official visit also vowed to deepen the "strategic dialogue" with Pakistan, besides increasing its development assistance to 665 million pounds Sterling over a period of four years.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said the prime minister has explained his position, which clearly states that Pakistan was a responsible country and was aware of its international obligations.
He said Pakistan needed energy for power generation and was working on a multi pronged strategy to address the shortfall, with the assistance of Friends of Democratic Pakistan, the EU and China, and will take a decision keeping in view all these matters.
FM Qureshi and British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague at a joint press conference following their meeting said they reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Qureshi described the talks as good and said both the sides decided to carry forward the process and expand the areas of cooperation.
The British foreign secretary said his new government was committed to "a long term productive friendship with Pakistan" and would put in a new momentum.
He also spoke high of the around one million Pakistani-born diaspora in the UK and said the two sides discussed the issue of visas and other matters.
He paid rich tributes to the "sacrifices" and the resilience shown by the Pakistani people in fighting extremism and terrorism.
"I salute the efforts of Pakistan in fighting extremism and terrorism."
He acknowledged the enormous sacrifices made by Pakistan and the thousands of casualties at the hands of extremists and violent incidents.
To a question Britain's ties with India and would they have any impact on its relations with Pakistan, William Hague said he was in Pakistan to emphasize that there was vast potential of improvement and broadening of bilateral relations between the two countries.
He said Britain has relations with many countries and these do not impact ties with others.
He however said that Britain would not like to lecture either India or Pakistan how to resolve the contentious issues like the water dispute, as he believed that both the countries have the ability to resolve it on their own.
FM Qureshi said he would take up the matter when he meets his Indian counterpart in Islamabad.
Qureshi when asked about the points raised by India regarding the Mumbai attacks said, Pakistan was studying these.
UK says Pakistan sovereign to decide about IP gas pipeline
DAWN.COM | Letters to the Editor | An excess of ceremonies: Iran gas
An excess of ceremonies: Iran gas
Monday, 28 Jun, 2010
This is with reference to the news item concerning the Iranian gas pipeline to Pakistan. May I be permitted to succinctly comment as I was somewhat intimately involved with our petroleum industry while based in Islamabad for about seven years working for two multinational oil and gas companies and being on the task force, advising the Petroleum Ministry on reforming our obsolete petroleum laws and drafting the countrys new petroleum policy.
I think successive Pakistani governments have been trying to pull off this Iran-pipeline publicity scam. First of all there have been so many signing ceremonies that it gives one a sense of deja vu, having to witness the signing over and over again. The reason is obvious: both the countries want to exploit it to the max for political purposes.
The Iranian government wants to reassure its people that it is not isolated and is successfully marketing its petroleum resources. Pakistan is trying to show its people that it is working hard to overcome the energy shortages and is increasing ties with a rich and powerful Muslim country.
In this connection, it is plain that our government continues to use various ploys and gimmicks to induce the people into believing that its policy of obtaining gas from Iran is an attractive proposition, one that would solve the nations energy problems for a long time. Notice that our government and our complicit media always use the word obtaining rather than importing gas from Iran.
Importing is the correct word for buying the Iranian gas at an international rate and importing it by paying for it in foreign exchange. People should know that Iran is not, I repeat not, giving this gas gratuitously or freely to Pakistan.
Geological data clearly shows that we have significant reserves of available natural gas in Balochistan (Kohlu, Zamardan, Bugti regions, etc).
Instead of wisely investing in developing these national resources, which would improve local infrastructure, create jobs, develop expertise and give us control over the supply of gas, the government would rather foolishly spend billions of our precious foreign exchange openly in importing this gas at high international prices.
Of course, exploitation and development of gas reserves in Balochistan would entail reaching a political accommodation with the people of the province.
Why would our government choose to ignore negotiating and reaching a settlement with Balochistan and instead import gas at great cost defies logic. It flies in the face of Pakistans national and security interests to bypass our own national resources.
It is obvious that the government is trying to hide and downplay from the public the true, prohibitive cost of this Iran gas venture. Not only the construction cost of the pipeline that is tremendous (about 5-8 billion dollars), but also the annual, recurring cost of paying for this gas (about 2 to 4 billion dollars per year).
Where is all this money going to come from? US/IMF and international banks are not going to finance it in view of the UN sanctions.
Furthermore, even if this pipeline is built there will always be lurking the real and ever - present risk of it being sabotaged. If we are unable to protect the Sui Gas pipeline from being consistently blown up, how can we protect a longer, international pipeline?
DR. TAUSIF KAMAL
US
An excess of ceremonies: Iran gas
Monday, 28 Jun, 2010
This is with reference to the news item concerning the Iranian gas pipeline to Pakistan. May I be permitted to succinctly comment as I was somewhat intimately involved with our petroleum industry while based in Islamabad for about seven years working for two multinational oil and gas companies and being on the task force, advising the Petroleum Ministry on reforming our obsolete petroleum laws and drafting the countrys new petroleum policy.
I think successive Pakistani governments have been trying to pull off this Iran-pipeline publicity scam. First of all there have been so many signing ceremonies that it gives one a sense of deja vu, having to witness the signing over and over again. The reason is obvious: both the countries want to exploit it to the max for political purposes.
The Iranian government wants to reassure its people that it is not isolated and is successfully marketing its petroleum resources. Pakistan is trying to show its people that it is working hard to overcome the energy shortages and is increasing ties with a rich and powerful Muslim country.
In this connection, it is plain that our government continues to use various ploys and gimmicks to induce the people into believing that its policy of obtaining gas from Iran is an attractive proposition, one that would solve the nations energy problems for a long time. Notice that our government and our complicit media always use the word obtaining rather than importing gas from Iran.
Importing is the correct word for buying the Iranian gas at an international rate and importing it by paying for it in foreign exchange. People should know that Iran is not, I repeat not, giving this gas gratuitously or freely to Pakistan.
Geological data clearly shows that we have significant reserves of available natural gas in Balochistan (Kohlu, Zamardan, Bugti regions, etc).
Instead of wisely investing in developing these national resources, which would improve local infrastructure, create jobs, develop expertise and give us control over the supply of gas, the government would rather foolishly spend billions of our precious foreign exchange openly in importing this gas at high international prices.
Of course, exploitation and development of gas reserves in Balochistan would entail reaching a political accommodation with the people of the province.
Why would our government choose to ignore negotiating and reaching a settlement with Balochistan and instead import gas at great cost defies logic. It flies in the face of Pakistans national and security interests to bypass our own national resources.
It is obvious that the government is trying to hide and downplay from the public the true, prohibitive cost of this Iran gas venture. Not only the construction cost of the pipeline that is tremendous (about 5-8 billion dollars), but also the annual, recurring cost of paying for this gas (about 2 to 4 billion dollars per year).
Where is all this money going to come from? US/IMF and international banks are not going to finance it in view of the UN sanctions.
Furthermore, even if this pipeline is built there will always be lurking the real and ever - present risk of it being sabotaged. If we are unable to protect the Sui Gas pipeline from being consistently blown up, how can we protect a longer, international pipeline?
DR. TAUSIF KAMAL
US
Hyde
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the money will come from the public. Whoever will use this gas will have to pay the bills and the government will be able to pay back to Iran
Secondly this gas will be cheaper than using imported oil any day. So if we are willing to buy oil..... we will use same money to buy this gas
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the money will come from the public. Whoever will use this gas will have to pay the bills and the government will be able to pay back to Iran
Secondly this gas will be cheaper than using imported oil any day. So if we are willing to buy oil..... we will use same money to buy this gas
You are being Selective.
Read the Post Again.
Pakistan will need US$ Five to Eight Billion for building the Pipeline - surely the consumers are not going to pay in advance to build the pipeline!
So no need to get Angry
Hyde
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Iran already expressed her desire to fund this whole project herself and China too expressed her desire to invest 2 billion dollars in this project. I heard some russian companies too involved in this project and willing to invest it.You are being Selective.
Read the Post Again.
Pakistan will need US$ Five to Eight Billion for building the Pipeline - surely the consumers are not going to pay in advance to build the pipeline!
So no need to get Angry
The investors are there Sir, the article is written by an idiot. He just wanted to criticize no matter how
Nahraf
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Pakistan needs to invest from its resources to build the pipeline. I think we should build highway and railway along the pipeline. That will connect Bandar Abbas and Karachi. The Pakistan will have railway link to Europe via Iran and Turkey.
Hyde
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We already have one railway track from Pakistan to Iran. Why we need a second track considering the poor economy of our country?
First thing we need to do is focus on existing railway track and promote trilateral trade between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey
Yes indeed, what does the rest of the World know!
So we will have to wait, won't we?
Meantime best of Luck to Pakistan in finding "Funds" as I believe the IMF is being "asked" for another US$ Five Billion for next year.
Nahraf
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Exactly. We need to initiate this project immediately. It will be our stimulus cash to revive our economy.
Nahraf
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That link is a small gauge railway line from Quetta ending at Zahidan. You cannot run regular freight trains on that track. This new railway line should run along the coast from Bandar Abbas connecting all ports along Balochistan coast.
Hyde
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well yes they are,
but do not mix both projects together. If India is lending 9.3 billion dollars from World Bank year, is that mean their on-going projects will be effected? No!
AZADPAKISTAN2009
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Well from what I know , The Ottomons were building a rail link in 1920 before the world war 1 broke out , as they wanted to build a rail road to far east , obviously these railways are I think still present connecting from turkey all the way to Iran / iran
Basically we need an extension of the railway from iran into Pakistan and to china
Railway links with adjacent countries
Armenia - closed (see Kars Gyumri Akhalkalaki railway line) [28]
Bulgaria - open - 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Greece - open - 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Georgia - under reconstruction - break-of-gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)/1,520 mm (4 ft 11+5⁄6 in).
Iran - via Lake Van train ferry - same gauge
Iraq - No direct link, traffic routed via Syria - same gauge
Syria - open - 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Basically we need an extension of the railway from iran into Pakistan and to china
Railway links with adjacent countries
Armenia - closed (see Kars Gyumri Akhalkalaki railway line) [28]
Bulgaria - open - 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Greece - open - 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Georgia - under reconstruction - break-of-gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)/1,520 mm (4 ft 11+5⁄6 in).
Iran - via Lake Van train ferry - same gauge
Iraq - No direct link, traffic routed via Syria - same gauge
Syria - open - 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
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India has also deposited possibly US$ 10 Billion in IMF. This is in addition to the US$ Six Billion that India invested in buying about 200 Tons of Gold from the IMF.
Finally : India's Foreign Exchange Reserves (about US$ 270 Billion) are more than India's Foreign Exchange Debt (about US$ 230 Billion).
Of the HUGE National Debt incurred by India 90% is in Indian Hands!
All the same I wish Pakistan the Best of Luck in its getting Natural Gas via a Pipeline from Iran.
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