New Pakistani Govt To Complete Pipeline Project: Iranian Envoy

Islamabad, May 1, IRNA – Iranian envoy in Pakistan expressed the hope that the new elected government in Pakistan would complete the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline agreement as ten to fifteen percent of technical details would yet to be worked out, a media report said on Tuesday. Once the final agreement is inked, Iran will complete the laying of pipeline in Pakistan area within eighteen months. Iran’s Deputy Head of Mission in Islamabad Hussein Ravesh told ‘The News’ at the reception hosted by Russian Ambassador Andrey Budnik to commemorate 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations of the two countries in his embassy compound at diplomatic enclave. After the meeting of Iranian and Pakistani presidents in Chah Bahar last month, the development work of the pipeline is being carried out in Iran. To a query he made it clear that no new or formal agreement was signed when the two presidents had meeting in Iranian seaport. “I am sure new government in Pakistan after the polls would ink the final agreement as it would be win-win situation for the people of both the countries,” he said. Hussein Ravesh said that the technical details to be completed by the two sides did not involve tariff rather these pertained to the working of the companies of the two countries for the project. He said that no country could thrust its will over the people of Pakistan and Iran as the two people have faith in Allah Almighty. Iranian diplomat was of the opinion if the gas pipeline was extended to India, it would also be beneficial for Iran and Pakistan. Hussein Ravesh said, “Most part of the land in Pakistan for pipeline is smooth but some rocky areas also falls in the way. Iran has the equipment and technology to complete the work swiftly in both type of the terrain,” he added. Hussein Ravesh is of the view that Pakistan and Iran are the sovereign countries which have every right to cooperate for mutual interest. ‘We simply discard the external intervention in our deals,’ Ravesh added./end