IP to help solve Pakistan energy woes: Pak media

Islamabad, Nov 5, IRNA – A leading Pakistani news daily in its editorial says Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline can bring much-needed gas to Pakistan, which suffers from a crippling electricity deficit because of a shortage of fuel for its power-generation plants. IP to help solve Pakistan energy woes: Pak media ‘Nation’ in its editorial comments said the project would eventually supply Pakistan with enough gas to fuel 4,500 megawatts of electricity generation, almost as much as the country’s entire current electricity shortfall. “It is necessary that this project not be politicized and delayed like CPEC,” it said. It says the Iran Pakistan pipeline that has been in discussion between the two governments as early as 1995 is finally to be constructed. China has offered to finance the Pakistani un-built portion of the multi billion-dollar gas pipeline project. The news of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources’ intention to approach China to fund the IP gas pipeline has been making rounds since April 2015. Months of negotiating behind the scenes have paid off, as China will now fund the part of the pipeline that will cost up to $2 billion. 'For now, we can be optimistic that Beijing is investing in projects that will actually benefit the people in Pakistan.' Necessity of completion of IP project as a huge step to help Pakistan cope with its severe energy shortage, has always been a in important topic for Pakistan media and a serious demand by Pakistani people and industries who are suffering from the energy crisis. 1378/IRNA