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Should Pakistan opt for Iran gas?

NOW that Prime Minister’s Nawaz Sharif’s reconciliatory visit to Iran has yielded extremely productive results, a natural question about the Iran Gas Pipeline, arise as to whether it deserved to be revisited?

Salahuddin Haider, Pakistan Observer

NOW that Prime Minister's Nawaz Sharif's reconciliatory visit to Iran has yielded extremely productive results, a natural question about the Iran Gas Pipeline, arise as to whether it deserved to be revisited?
In my own and in the opinion of many an expert, the Iranian offer, pending since long, need a fresh look. Even cursory glance would convince anyone that the Qatar Gas, which the Pakistan government has been looking at as an alternate ,after pressure from America to avoid dealings with Iran, has been four times costly. Qatar has is quoting 80 cents to a unit, while Iranian offer been one-fourth of it.
Figures collected from internet and gas companies websites, show that Iranian gas is in use since long to the tune of 40 billion dollars by China, 15 billion dollars by India,20 billion dollars by Turkey. India is almost an ally to US and Turkey is NATO member, why then they were exempted from sanctions threatened for Pakistan.
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The answer is simple. America applies pressure to countries where it could succeed. But maintains a double standard simultaneously for countries, refusing to heed to his tatics.
Pakistan unfortunately wilted under pressure and put off a beneficial project to replenish its vitally needed energy needs. Turkmenistan exports gas worth 8 billion dollars to Iran,15 billion dollars to Russia, and 30 billion dollars to China.
Records show that the Iran gas pipeline meant to supply item to Pakistan is 1200 km long, on the Iranian side, and 782 km long on the Pakistani side. 900 km line on the Iranian side is completed, and put into operation. The remaining 300 km is to be completed in next three years, a part of this portion has already been laid. The diameter of the pipeline on the Iranian side is 56 inches and on the Pakistan side it is 42 inches. It can carry 50 to 60 million cubic meter of gas per day. Iran-Pakistan agreement envisages a daily export of 21.5 million cubic meters. Islamabad has requested this quantity to rise to 30 million cubic meters per day, regarding which talks are on. This agreement was signed two years ago.!2 workshops will be built enroute for its uninterrupted supply, and security, plus maintenance. The pipeline will pass through two provinces, Balochistan and Sindh. There is a possibility of extending the quantity per day to 100 million cubic meters.
It will meet one-third of Pakistan domestic needs for gas, in addition to meeting 20 percent of Pakistan's needs for electricity, carries huge financial benefits for Pakistan for 25 years.
Nawaz Sharif's recent visit to Iran, helped him clear many a misunderstanding during meetings with Iranian leadership including their top personality. Nawaz was assured of every cooperation by the Iranians. Tremendous amount of goodwill was created during the visit, and the Iranians feel happy at his visit talks with Iranians.
Time is therefore ripe for the prime minister to take a decision now that most of frictions have been removed, and a new era of fraternal relations are ushering in.
American have lost force in their pressure after reaching agreement with Iran over the latter's nuclear plan deal. So Pakistan has no or very little worry about for a project of enormous potential for us.

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