IP Gas Pipeline, Most Viable Project: Pakistani Editor

Islamabad, April 3, IRNA – A Pakistani editor on Tuesday said that multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project is the most viable project to overcome energy crisis in Pakistan. Talking to IRNA, Saleem Bukhari editor of daily ‘The Nation’ said that international conspiracy against the project has been failed miserably. “Had this project completed Pakistan, would have come out of all energy woes,” viewed the analyst. He viewed that the project must be completed as early as possible. He said that it is encouraging to see that the government of Pakistan is eager to complete the project despite American opposition. “I have no doubt in my mind that Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project is the most viable project to overcome energy crisis in Pakistan,” he said. Saleem Bukhari added that even now India has shown its interest in rejoining the project which is a positive development. “This is the most feasible project that Pakistan government has ever been entered,” said the analyst. The journalist expressing his views said the project would bring economic stability in the whole region. He added that the economic relations between Iran and Pakistan would strengthen after the completion of the gas pipeline. “Iran-Pakistan relations cannot be undermined,” he viewed. He said that when completed, the project would become the symbol of greatness of the two brotherly nations. “This project is a beacon light for other countries of the world,” Saleem Bukhari said. The editor strongly believed that in future more countries would join the project keeping in view the importance of the project. He said that the countries of the region have faith in the sincerity of the Islamic government of Iran. The analyst added that another advantage of Iranian gas is that it is cheap and affordable. He went on to say that the project would generate economic activities in Pakistan. The analyst said that though Iran is progressing in all sectors despite sanctions but the gas pipeline project can also help Iran to defeat the western sanctions. He said that he was part of the delegation that had visited Iran with President Asif Ali Zardari to inaugurate the final construction phase of the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project. “I was really impressed by the enthusiasm of the Iranian and Pakistan leaders on the occasion,” Saleem Bukhari said. “May be the previous government has taken many wrong decisions but the completion of gas pipeline with Iran and handing over of Gwadar port to China are the two main projects which every body has to appreciate,” said the senior journalist. He added that strong decisions taken by the government of Pakistan has proved that Pakistan is following an independent foreign policy. “They have taken the decisions which are in the interest of their people,” noted the analyst./end