Pakistan Wants Iran To Finance IP Project In Full: Report

Islamabad, Aug 4, IRNA – Pakistan has decided to place a request before the new Iranian government for completely financing the vital Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, a media report said on Saturday. ‘Express Tribune’ reported that Iran had committed to the previous Pakistani government loan of US $500 million for laying the pipeline in Pakistan, which would cost more than $1 billion. The two governments also agreed to award construction contract to Iranian firm Tadbir Energy. Speaking to the media, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stressed that the government would continue work on the IP gas pipeline and “We will discuss the project with the new Iranian cabinet for seeking the entire financing.” Talking about liquefied natural gas (LNG) import from Qatar, Abbasi said the Qatari government had asked Pakistan to build an LNG terminal before going for a gas supply deal. So far, no agreement had been signed for LNG import from Qatar, he clarified. “I visited Qatar along with Punjab chief minister, but the Qatari energy minister asked us to give a commitment that LNG terminal will be built first,” he said./end