Pakistan approves joint project with Iran

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the federal cabinet has given final approval to Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project, Pakistani Nation daily news reported.

Briefing media after cabinet meeting here on Wednesday, the Information Minister said the cabinet, which held its meeting with Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in the chair, also set up a four-member committee under Finance Minister to monitor work on the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project.

The minister said that work on the construction of the Pakistani side of the pipeline will be undertaken soon at a cost of one point five billion dollars. He said that work is continuing on the proposed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

According to gas contract between Iran and Pakistan, Iran would export 7.8 billion cubic meters of gas to Pakistan in 2015.

Pakistan Today news paper also reported on Jan 30, that Iran had agreed to provide $ 500 million for the project. The Pakistan government says that the money will be spent on the completion of the project. However, according to Iranian sources, an Iranian company will undertake laying of pipeline even in the Pakistan area.

Iran Supreme Leader's top adviser Ali Akbar Velayati met with Pakistani President Ali Zardari on Wednesday, according to ISNA news Agency.

Iran's Deputy Oil Minister Javad Owji said that 700 km of pipeline would be constructed in Pakistani section and 300 km - in Iran territory, Mehr News Agency reported on Jan 30.





/Trend/