Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani says Islamabad will not give in to foreign pressure on Islamabad to abandon its joint gas pipeline project with Iran.
Publish dateSunday 4 March 2012 - 13:55
Story Code : 37308
Speaking at the Air University in the district of Multan, located in the Pakistani province of Punjab, on Saturday, Gilani said Islamabad will make the decisions regarding the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline based on its own interests Press TV reported.
The Pakistani premier said Islamabad will develop ties with other countries, including Iran, to protect its interests.
He added that the country would not succumb to foreign pressure as it has an elected and independent government.
Energy-hungry Pakistan is looking to increase its fuel imports from various sources, including Iran, to reduce power shortages that have crippled the country’s industry and shaved percentage points off its GDP growth.
In addition to importing oil from Iran, Islamabad has been in talks with Tehran over the construction of the gas pipeline carrying Iran’s natural gas to Pakistan.
Washington has repeatedly reminded Islamabad of its resentment over the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
The multi-billion-dollar pipeline aims to export a daily amount of 21.5 million cubic meters (or 8.7 billion cubic meters per year) of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan.
The maximum daily volume of gas transfers by the 56-inch pipeline has been estimated at 110 cubic meters. The pipeline stretches over 900 km through Iranian soil, from Asalouyeh in Bushehr Province to the city of Iranshahr in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
The Pakistani premier said Islamabad will develop ties with other countries, including Iran, to protect its interests.
He added that the country would not succumb to foreign pressure as it has an elected and independent government.
Energy-hungry Pakistan is looking to increase its fuel imports from various sources, including Iran, to reduce power shortages that have crippled the country’s industry and shaved percentage points off its GDP growth.
In addition to importing oil from Iran, Islamabad has been in talks with Tehran over the construction of the gas pipeline carrying Iran’s natural gas to Pakistan.
Washington has repeatedly reminded Islamabad of its resentment over the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
The multi-billion-dollar pipeline aims to export a daily amount of 21.5 million cubic meters (or 8.7 billion cubic meters per year) of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan.
The maximum daily volume of gas transfers by the 56-inch pipeline has been estimated at 110 cubic meters. The pipeline stretches over 900 km through Iranian soil, from Asalouyeh in Bushehr Province to the city of Iranshahr in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
Source : Afghan Voice Agency (AVA), Kabul
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