Pakistan Invites Iran for Pipe Talks
Pakistan has invited Iran for talks on the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project, according to a report by The News. The project has been in limbo ever since Pakistan decided not to take it forward fearing US pressure.
“Yes, we have invited authorities concerned in Tehran to come to Islamabad in the ongoing month of May, prior to the advent of the holy month of Ramazan, and hold talks on [the] IP gas line project,” a senior official at petroleum division (energy ministry) told the newspaper. Both governments are looking to find a way to take the project forward amid US sanctions on Iran.
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In February, Iran's oil minister Bijan Zanganeh said Pakistan had deferred Iranian gas imports for so long that the Tehran is considering referring Islamabad to the international arbitration court. As per the agreement signed between the two nations, Pakistan should have started taking 22mn m3/d of Iranian gas imports in January 2015, the line having been completed the month before.
Pakistan and Iran have already agreed to review the gas sales purchase agreement signed in 2009 following the cut in price of Qatari LNG, and lower spot LNG prices The News said.