Following the approval of the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project by the caretaker cabinet, the State Department in Washington revealed on Wednesday that discussions with Pakistan’s government about the project are ongoing. However, the spokesperson refrained from providing specific details about diplomatic discussions.
In response to questions about the project’s resumption and whether it remains a concern for the US, the State Department emphasized that addressing Pakistan’s energy shortage crisis is a priority. The department highlighted its support for adding approximately 4,000 MW of energy capacity in Pakistan, contributing significantly to the nation’s electricity capacity and benefiting over 50 million Pakistanis.
The State Department also shared insights into the US-Pakistan Green Alliance, a transformative initiative focusing on environmental challenges such as water management, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy.
The caretaker government’s decision to postpone the plan to file an appeal against US sanctions under the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline project was reported. This decision was attributed to the current geopolitical situation, and the approval of decisions made by the Ministerial Oversight Committee regarding the project was noted.
The Petroleum Division, following the committee’s decisions, prepared a summary, and while the final draft of the application was ready, the submission to US authorities has been postponed.
The caretaker federal cabinet committee had previously approved the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, aiming to complete it within a year. The project, with a length of 1931 kilometers and a cost of $158 million, is expected to enhance the country’s energy security. Out of the total length, 1150 kilometers will be laid in Iran, and the remaining stretch will be in Pakistan up to Gwadar.
It’s noteworthy that Iran had already completed laying a 900-kilometer pipeline, and the project agreement, signed in 2009 with an initial completion target of 2015, has experienced over a decade’s delay.
