The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu stated that the United States is exerting maximum efforts to prevent the construction of the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline.
While answering the questions of congressmen during a Congressional hearing in Washington, Mr. Lu expressed his country’s concerns about the strain in Pakistan’s relations with neighbouring Iran, particularly on the IP gas pipeline project.
He said that Washington was in contact with Islamabad on the matter.
Mr Lu emphasized the importance of monitoring the funding for the gas pipeline and reiterated the US’s close watch on the mega energy project.
We are monitoring, the US diplomat said, adding that “Washington has not received any request from Islamabad regarding sanctions relief, so our efforts to stop Pakistan from Iran’s gas project will continue.”
While emphasizing America’s opposition, Lu claimed that the project was not in the interest of Pakistan as international companies would not invest in it.
In February, Pakistan’s Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) granted its approval to start construction on an 80-kilometer (KM) pipeline from the Pak-Iran border to Gwadar as part of the IP Gas Pipeline Project.
One of the reasons for the delay in construction of the has pipeline have been consistent worries surrounding international sanctions on Iran.
The problem is that if Pakistan does not start construction of the IP Gas Pipeline Project within the next three months it will have to face $ 18 billion worth penalty.
Back in August 2023, Iran refused to accept Pakistan’s force majeure notice to halt construction of the multibillion-dollar project and has instead granted two five-year extensions to meet the responsibilities of the IP project.
Iran had previously given Pakistan a 180-day deadline until September 2024 to start completion of the pipe-laying work.
Tehran warned Islamabad if its authorities do not accept the suggestion, Iran will move to the Paris-based International Arbitration for non-execution of the project and the Islamic Republic will seek an $18 billion penalty by lodging a complaint at the Paris-based institute.
Excellent Information Shared and keep sharing such post
I just don’t understand why a sanctions prone pipeline must be built? why not burn local thar coal? it is present in huge quantities and near population centers.
its not of that good quality and is majorly used to produce electricity