KARACHI: Pakistan decided to build an 80-kilometer segment of the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline on Friday after the Cabinet Committee on Energy approved the recommendations of a ministerial oversight committee evaluating various dimensions of the project after it was constituted by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar last September.
Originally intended to supply gas from Iran to both Pakistan and neighboring India, the project was referred to as the IPI pipeline. However, India later withdrew from the project over concerns related to pricing and security, leading to the current designation as the IP gas pipeline.
The project remained stalled for a significantly long period since it could potentially create problems for Pakistan due to the international sanctions targeting Iran.
The United States, in particular, expressed opposition to the project, and there had been concerns that Pakistan could face economic sanctions if it proceeded with it.
“The [Cabinet] Committee [on Energy] recommended to start work on the 80 km segment of the pipeline inside Pakistan i.e. from Pakistan border up till Gwadar in the first phase,” said an official statement circulated by the Petroleum Division of Energy Ministry. “The Project will be executed by Inter State Gas Systems (Pvt) Ltd. and will be funded through Gas Infrastructure Development Cess.”
“All the concerned divisions gave a positive nod to move ahead with the project to ensure gas supplies to the people of Pakistan, thereby addressing the increasing energy needs of the country,” the statement added.
The project is expected to boost the country’s energy security and strengthen the local industry that can be assured sustainable and enhanced gas supplies.
The construction of the IP pipeline is also expected to catalyze the economic activity in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province and which can positively impact the national economy.
Government greenlights construction of 80-kilometer segment of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline
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Government greenlights construction of 80-kilometer segment of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline
- The pipeline will be constructed from Pakistan’s border with Iran to its port city of Gwadar in the first phase
- The project is likely to boost the country’s energy security, strengthen local industry with enhanced gas supply
Pakistani party announces countrywide protests on Friday against US-Israel strikes on Iran
- Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party chief urges Pakistan to withdraw from Trump’s Board of Peace body
- Calls for transparent probe into deaths of 10 protesters who stormed US consulate in Karachi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani religious party Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced it would hold countrywide protests against US and Israel’s aggression against Iran, calling on Islamabad to withdraw from US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace body.
Tensions have surged in the Middle East ever since Saturday, when US and Israel launched surprise airstrikes against Iran after months of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Iran confirmed on Sunday its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in the strikes, retaliating with drone and missile attacks against US military installations in the Gulf.
“The Jamaat-e-Islami chief expressed solidarity with the Iranian government and people and announced nationwide protests on Friday against what he described as US and Israeli aggression,” the JI said in a statement on Wednesday.
It quoted party chief Naeem ur Rehman as saying that the Board of Peace formed under the leadership of US President Donald Trump was a “sham.”
“He demanded that the Government of Pakistan immediately withdraw from the so-called Gaza Peace Board and urged both the government and opposition to openly condemn the US and Israeli attacks on Iran,” the JI added.
Rehman said it was necessary to defeat the “nefarious” plans of the US and Israel, warning that Israel could target Pakistan next.
The JI chief reiterated his demand for a transparent investigation into the killing of 10 protesters who had stormed the US consulate in Karachi on Sunday to protest Khamenei’s killing.
A Reuters report cited two American officials as saying that US Marines had fired at the demonstrators. However, the US officials said it was unclear whether rounds fired by Marines struck or killed anyone.
“The Jamaat-e-Islami chief appealed to protesters to remain peaceful and urged people from all walks of life to participate fully in Friday’s demonstrations,” the JI said.
The JI has regularly held large public rallies in Pakistan’s Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad cities against Israel for its military operations in Gaza.
