US opposes gas imports to keep Pakistan ' weak'

[third eye]

The United States followed the same stance to block Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline which it once took to derail the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) project with a “strategic objective to keep Pakistan economically weak”.

Speaking at the 6th Pakistan Energy Forum 2014 here on Thursday, former petroleum secretary Dr Gulfraz, who had been part of negotiations on the two gas pipelines in 1997, said Afghan warlords had given assurances of security for the construction and operation of TAPI pipeline.

However, consortium leader Unicol pulled out of the project following directives of the US State Department, leaving Pakistan in a critical situation.

Pakistan had secured gas supply from Turkmenistan at a cheaper rate with the signing of a pricing framework at the time, but the project was delayed due to the change in US stance, he said.

Similarly, “we were close to sealing the IP pipeline deal, but the US offered civil nuclear technology to India (leading to Delhi’s withdrawal from the project) and Pakistan was left alone again,” he said, suggesting the government should not compromise on national security.

According to Gulfraz, Pakistan is facing the same situation in case of IP pipeline which it faced in 1997 while working on the TAPI project because of the change in US priorities. “After withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, I fear Washington will again be opposing TAPI pipeline following a shift in its policies.”

In recent years, the US has been actively promoting the TAPI project in an effort to drive Pakistan away from IP pipeline.

Qatar gas

Gulfraz disclosed that Qatar was also going to export gas to Pakistan through an offshore pipeline, but Iran wanted 50% share in it. Later, the project was shelved as Qatar felt that it would not be possible to lay the pipeline through Iranian waters.

He suggested that Pakistan should not strike a long-term LNG import deal with Qatar and work out economics of higher gas prices. Japan was importing LNG at $11-13 per million British thermal units (mmbtu) and was working on additional supplies. The price offered by Qatar was high, he said.

Talking to the media, he was of the view that Pakistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia should agree on one point for their national interests. “We will continue facing problems because of opposite policies of Saudi Arabia and Iran.”

He believed that Nawaz Sharif should have visited Iran after becoming prime minister as Tehran could meet Pakistan’s energy needs.

Speaking on the occasion, State Minister for Petroleum Jam Kamal said Pakistan was facing problems in implementing the IP project due to risk of US sanctions. Pakistan would even find it difficult to purchase compressors and generators for the project.

According to Kamal, the government is seriously working on LNG import and a terminal services contract will be approved by the Economic Coordination Committee. It will also go for spot LNG purchases.

“We have implemented a new petroleum policy which promises better incentives and many foreign companies have expressed interest in investing in the oil and gas sector,” he said, adding foreign direct investment in the sector had improved.

Many companies were keen to explore shale gas in the country. Citing an example, he said the ENI chief, who arrived earlier this year, had shown interest in pumping money into shale gas exploration.

In an attempt to improve efficiency and performance, he said different options were being considered to privatise energy companies.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2014.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

The United States followed the same stance to block Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline which it once took to derail the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) project with a “strategic objective to keep Pakistan economically weak”.

What else did you expect from the American Empire?

Now we will have @Hiptullha coming to tell me off for my anti-American stance.

Though I would love to see what other interpretation there is for this behavior.

 

[Hiptullha]

What else did you expect from the American Empire?

Now we will have @Hiptullha coming to tell me off for my anti-American stance.

Though I would love to see what other interpretation there is for this behavior.

Implying I do not dislike the US foreign policy either.

 

[SpArK]

When there is a will , there is always a way.

 

[third eye]

What else did you expect from the American Empire?

Now we will have @Hiptullha coming to tell me off for my anti-American stance.

Though I would love to see what other interpretation there is for this behavior.

Not entirely true.

A nation that does not tax its rich nor collects other dues can not expect to live on the largess of others forever.

The ability of a nation to pay often dictates the price at which goods are offered to him for sale.

Lastly, when you run with the hare & hunt with the hound, why should it hurt when someone else does the same ?

 

[Sugarcane]

It's not hidden economically weak and dependent Pakistan suites interests of yankees, why they will support anything which can give stability to Pakistan.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Not entirely true.

A nation that does not tax its rich nor collects other dues can not expect to live on the largess of others forever.

The ability of a nation to pay often dictates the price at which goods are offered to him for sale.

Lastly, when you run with the hare & hunt with the hound, why should it hurt when someone else does the same ?

OK, it is true that Pakistan desperately needs tax reform, in order to improve their Government finances and especially the Government budget.

Every country has a responsibility to take care of their own finances.

However this does not excuse the American Empire in deliberately keeping Pakistan weak, so that they are less able to say "no" when America asks for another "favor" regarding Pakistan's sovereignty and internal security.

You can make the same accusations against us Chinese, however China's relations with Pakistan are mostly about commercial and economic interests, which are mutually beneficial.

On the other hand, America is asking Pakistani people to die for American interests, asking them to follow them into a war that had nothing to do with them, Americans are BOMBING Pakistan's sovereign territory in collusion with corrupt local officials.

 

[Hyperion]

You summed it all up quite nicely!

You can make the same accusations against us Chinese, however China's relations with Pakistan are mostly about commercial and economic interests, which are mutually beneficial.

On the other hand, America is asking Pakistani people to die for American interests, asking them to follow them into a war that had nothing to do with them, Americans are BOMBING Pakistan's sovereign territory in collusion with corrupt local officials.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

You summed it all up quite nicely!

Thanks brother.

We will never ask Pakistanis to die for our interests, like the Americans do. Neither will we send in drones to bomb your territory and kill your civilians.

Our interests favor a STRONGER Pakistan, a Pakistan that can more easily say "no" to the American Empire.

Whereas America favors a weaker Pakistan, since if Pakistan is weaker, they can more easily ask for all those "lethal favors" that they are accustomed to asking for.

 

[Hyperion]

We, as a nation, know America's intentions very well, and the funny part is, the Yanks don't try to hide it themselves, meaning they no longer try to be diplomatic about asking ridiculous favors.

They are one of the most morally corrupt empires, even more that the Brits, with whom, we had, too an extent, certain understanding, or at least their "word" we learned to trust. Not the Yanks. Their "word" isn't even worth the toilet paper it's written on.

I'm a strong proponent of mutual interests and commerce to define the inter-nations relations, and then respect for each others basic human rights to define the "love" between them. China passes on both accounts, for the moment that is.

I'm sure your behavior will not become that of Yanks, in the future when you gain further strength. Why? Because of two reasons.

1. You are a very old civilization, and that gives you access to vast pool of historic-information / ethical values developed over several millennia to tap into.

2. Our nations, historically, have had pristine relations. No reason to doubt that would change.

Thanks brother.

We will never ask Pakistanis to die for our interests, like the Americans do. Neither will we send in drones to bomb your territory and kill your civilians.

Our interests favor a STRONGER Pakistan, a Pakistan that can more easily say "no" to the American Empire.

Whereas America favors a weaker Pakistan, since if Pakistan is weaker, they can more easily ask for all those "lethal favors" that they are accustomed to asking for.

 

[veekysingh]

Bullshit. Isnt iran had offered to finance the pipe line? And Pakistan could hv got compressor and generators from china or could hv asked for loan from China. Shouldn't Pakistan should be using these higher then mountain friendship here? That too when America is easeing up on iran. First Pakistani blamed to india and now the Americans topical victim card crying .

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

I'm sure your behavior will not become that of Yanks, in the future when you gain further strength. Why? Because of two reasons.

1. You are a very old civilization, and that gives you access to vast pool of historic-information / ethical values developed over several millennia to tap into.

2. Our nations, historically, have had pristine relations. No reason to doubt that would change.

I will never claim that we are "morally superior" to them, or to anyone.

IF it was us who landed in the North American continent first, would we have committed genocide on the Native Americans and stolen their land? Who knows.

Morality is subjective here, everyone will argue their own side.

The important thing in geopolitics is INTERESTS. China and Pakistan have an interest in a "stronger Pakistan", that can say no to America. Our interests are aligned in almost everything to do with geopolitics.

America's interest is in keeping their current position as the sole superpower. They do not like it when other countries increase in relative strength, because it weakens their own bargaining position, it weakens their influence.

 

[Nishan_101]

The United States followed the same stance to block Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline which it once took to derail the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) project with a “strategic objective to keep Pakistan economically weak”.

Speaking at the 6th Pakistan Energy Forum 2014 here on Thursday, former petroleum secretary Dr Gulfraz, who had been part of negotiations on the two gas pipelines in 1997, said Afghan warlords had given assurances of security for the construction and operation of TAPI pipeline.

However, consortium leader Unicol pulled out of the project following directives of the US State Department, leaving Pakistan in a critical situation.

Pakistan had secured gas supply from Turkmenistan at a cheaper rate with the signing of a pricing framework at the time, but the project was delayed due to the change in US stance, he said.

Similarly, “we were close to sealing the IP pipeline deal, but the US offered civil nuclear technology to India (leading to Delhi’s withdrawal from the project) and Pakistan was left alone again,” he said, suggesting the government should not compromise on national security.

According to Gulfraz, Pakistan is facing the same situation in case of IP pipeline which it faced in 1997 while working on the TAPI project because of the change in US priorities. “After withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, I fear Washington will again be opposing TAPI pipeline following a shift in its policies.”

In recent years, the US has been actively promoting the TAPI project in an effort to drive Pakistan away from IP pipeline.

Qatar gas

Gulfraz disclosed that Qatar was also going to export gas to Pakistan through an offshore pipeline, but Iran wanted 50% share in it. Later, the project was shelved as Qatar felt that it would not be possible to lay the pipeline through Iranian waters.

He suggested that Pakistan should not strike a long-term LNG import deal with Qatar and work out economics of higher gas prices. Japan was importing LNG at $11-13 per million British thermal units (mmbtu) and was working on additional supplies. The price offered by Qatar was high, he said.

Talking to the media, he was of the view that Pakistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia should agree on one point for their national interests. “We will continue facing problems because of opposite policies of Saudi Arabia and Iran.”

He believed that Nawaz Sharif should have visited Iran after becoming prime minister as Tehran could meet Pakistan’s energy needs.

Speaking on the occasion, State Minister for Petroleum Jam Kamal said Pakistan was facing problems in implementing the IP project due to risk of US sanctions. Pakistan would even find it difficult to purchase compressors and generators for the project.

According to Kamal, the government is seriously working on LNG import and a terminal services contract will be approved by the Economic Coordination Committee. It will also go for spot LNG purchases.

“We have implemented a new petroleum policy which promises better incentives and many foreign companies have expressed interest in investing in the oil and gas sector,” he said, adding foreign direct investment in the sector had improved.

Many companies were keen to explore shale gas in the country. Citing an example, he said the ENI chief, who arrived earlier this year, had shown interest in pumping money into shale gas exploration.

In an attempt to improve efficiency and performance, he said different options were being considered to privatise energy companies.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2014.

Simply Pakistan needs to welcome Middle Eastern Investors to invest in Oil and Gas Rigs to take out Oil and Gas from Arabian Sea. Moreover there are huge reserves on Land which they can easily take out.

 

[CENTCOM]

Say no to America? Say no to us for asking for better coordination so we can defeat terrorists? Say no to bringing stability in curtailing suicide attacks, terrorist groups? Say no to the Military aid which is helping the Pakistani Military protect its citizens, the educational aid helping thousands of children go to school in remote even in remote areas of Pakistan, the energy aid – building dams and power stations without landing Pakistan in a debt or evoking sanctions. So tell me, Chinese Dragon, do you think China will willingly replace us as the largest donors – not lenders - of aid to Pakistan?

You are right - International Relations are based on state interests, however, you fail to see that a “weak” nuclear-Pakistan is in the interest of no other country, certainly not ours. A strong and stable Pakistani state free of terrorist attacks is in the mutual interest of both the United States and the Pakistanis, hence you see us working together to improve our bi-lateral relations. Please do not underestimate the intellect of the Pakistani military and civilian government.

Haroon Ahmad
DET – United States Central Command
www.facebook.com/centcomurdu

 

[Pukhtoon]

Say no to America? Say no to us for asking for better coordination so we can defeat terrorists? Say no to bringing stability in curtailing suicide attacks, terrorist groups? Say no to the Military aid which is helping the Pakistani Military protect its citizens, the educational aid helping thousands of children go to school in remote even in remote areas of Pakistan, the energy aid – building dams and power stations without landing Pakistan in a debt or evoking sanctions. So tell me, Chinese Dragon, do you think China will willingly replace us as the largest donors – not lenders - of aid to Pakistan?

You are right - International Relations are based on state interests, however, you fail to see that a “weak” nuclear-Pakistan is in the interest of no other country, certainly not ours. A strong and stable Pakistani state free of terrorist attacks is in the mutual interest of both the United States and the Pakistanis, hence you see us working together to improve our bi-lateral relations. Please do not underestimate the intellect of the Pakistani military and civilian government.

Haroon Ahmad
DET – United States Central Command
www.facebook.com/centcomurdu

Just one and simple question:

You are Against IP project or Not ?