The issue of Iran-Pakistan (IP) Gas Pipeline Project has resurfaced with US threatening Pakistan of harsh sanctions if it went ahead with the implementation of the project. A top American diplomat has said that Pakistan could face tough US sanctions if it goes ahead with the multi-billion dollar gas pipeline project with Iran.
The US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Windy Sherman told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Friday, October 4, 2013 that the Obama administration is having discussions in this regard with Pakistan. She stated \"On Pakistan, we have had those discussions (on Iran-Pak gas pipeline) and will continue talking with the Pakistani government.\" Sherman told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Pakistan certainly understands where it stands and what US sanctions require, should it proceed, she said.
The renewed US threat to Pakistan on the issue of IP gas pipeline project comes at a time when US-Pakistan relations are on the lowest ebb in the history of the two country\'s bilateral relations. One fears, and very rightly so, that the already strained bilateral relations between the two countries are going to get still worse if the US obstinacy vis-à-vis the extremely delicate issue of Iran-Pak gas pipeline project ultimately converts into sanctions against Pakistan.
Pakistan, as known to the US and the entire world, is passing through one of the most critical energy crisis in its history. The indigenous gas production having fallen far beyond its consumption has left no option for Pakistan but to import gas from a country that is endowed with this natural wealth in abundance. To meet its drastic gas shortfall Pakistan chose to look at neighbouring Iran and in the year 2010 Iran and Pakistan agreed that Tehran would supply between 750 million cubic feet (21 million cubic metres) and one billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to Pakistan by mid-2015. So far as Pakistan is concerned the $7.5 billion gas pipeline project is a matter of immense significance for it. It is bound by circumstances to go forward with the implementation of this project to overcome its nerve-racking energy crisis that has led to debilitating blackouts, smothered industry and rapidly declining economy.
In one of his very recent statements to Pakistan media, on the issue, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has categorically said that he intended to move forward with the natural gas pipeline deal with Iran that was agreed to by the previous government. In response to Pakistan Premier\'s determination to go ahead with the project, the Chairman US Committee on Foreign Relations Robert Menendez said \"If that were to take place, it would be in clear violation of our Iran sanctions regime.\" The message from both sides, to this point in time, seems pretty loud and clear. However, what the US must appreciate is that Pakistan is passing through a serious energy crisis and the Iran-Pak gas pipeline is vital to bring Pakistan out of it. If, at all, the US sincerely desires to resolve this issue then imposition of sanctions on Pakistan is not the answer. The answer lies in the US taking tangible measures to help Pakistan quickly come out of its energy dilemma.
M. Fazal Elahi
Islamabad
The US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Windy Sherman told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing on Friday, October 4, 2013 that the Obama administration is having discussions in this regard with Pakistan. She stated \"On Pakistan, we have had those discussions (on Iran-Pak gas pipeline) and will continue talking with the Pakistani government.\" Sherman told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Pakistan certainly understands where it stands and what US sanctions require, should it proceed, she said.
The renewed US threat to Pakistan on the issue of IP gas pipeline project comes at a time when US-Pakistan relations are on the lowest ebb in the history of the two country\'s bilateral relations. One fears, and very rightly so, that the already strained bilateral relations between the two countries are going to get still worse if the US obstinacy vis-à-vis the extremely delicate issue of Iran-Pak gas pipeline project ultimately converts into sanctions against Pakistan.
Pakistan, as known to the US and the entire world, is passing through one of the most critical energy crisis in its history. The indigenous gas production having fallen far beyond its consumption has left no option for Pakistan but to import gas from a country that is endowed with this natural wealth in abundance. To meet its drastic gas shortfall Pakistan chose to look at neighbouring Iran and in the year 2010 Iran and Pakistan agreed that Tehran would supply between 750 million cubic feet (21 million cubic metres) and one billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to Pakistan by mid-2015. So far as Pakistan is concerned the $7.5 billion gas pipeline project is a matter of immense significance for it. It is bound by circumstances to go forward with the implementation of this project to overcome its nerve-racking energy crisis that has led to debilitating blackouts, smothered industry and rapidly declining economy.
In one of his very recent statements to Pakistan media, on the issue, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has categorically said that he intended to move forward with the natural gas pipeline deal with Iran that was agreed to by the previous government. In response to Pakistan Premier\'s determination to go ahead with the project, the Chairman US Committee on Foreign Relations Robert Menendez said \"If that were to take place, it would be in clear violation of our Iran sanctions regime.\" The message from both sides, to this point in time, seems pretty loud and clear. However, what the US must appreciate is that Pakistan is passing through a serious energy crisis and the Iran-Pak gas pipeline is vital to bring Pakistan out of it. If, at all, the US sincerely desires to resolve this issue then imposition of sanctions on Pakistan is not the answer. The answer lies in the US taking tangible measures to help Pakistan quickly come out of its energy dilemma.
M. Fazal Elahi
Islamabad
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