The opposition members urged the government to tell the House what were its compulsions and external pressures which forced President Asif Ali Zardari to cancel his visit to Iran while the people have pinned hopes on Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project to resolve the gas and electricity problems being faced by the country.
The PPP Government had stated in the past that the imported natural gas from Iran would provide cheapest and most suitable fuel for power generation. It has been estimated that 750 mmcfd gas to help generate around 4,000MW of electricity, besides providing job opportunities to the people in the backward areas of Balochistan and Sindh. The industries and economy of our country is facing wear and tear due to shortage of energy. Even many investors have transferred their investment to other countries.
Pakistan-Iran Gas pipeline project is a hope for development of industry and economy of the country. The energy crisis would worsen in the future if the government did not implement the project because Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain has already cautioned that the Sui gas reserves would deplete by 2022.
Iran is near completion to lay down the 56-inch diameter pipeline up to the Pakistani border. Pakistan, on its part, is planning to complete the segment of the pipeline on its side by the end of 2014. Iran has also promised $500 million loan to help finance Pakistan's pipeline project.
While the government has committed that it will pursue the project regardless of US pressure, calling it vital to overcome the country's energy crisis that has led to unbearable blackouts and suffocated the industry. The members of PML-N Abid Sher Ali and Abdul Qadir Baloch raised this issue and wanted to know the reasons why President delayed his visit to Iran. They also expressed grave concern that government has to pay million of rupees penalty if it cancels the project. They also termed it a conspiracy against the country to further damage its declining economy.
The senior leadership of opposition as well as treasury did not pay any attention to this issue in the House. The US pressure on Pakistan to forego the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project must be viewed in the context of the foregoing. Its real purpose is to put pressure on Iran more than anything else. But if we concede to the US demand, it would have serious negative consequences for Pakistan, which is facing a virtual energy crisis because of electricity and gas shortage. The alternative project that would bring gas through pipeline from Turkmenistan (TAPI) would not be feasible in the near future because of the continuing armed conflict in Afghanistan.
The US-Iran tensions have aggravated due to the serious differences between them on Iran's nuclear programme. It was also reported that US ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson has aired concern over Islamabad's push for a gas pipeline project with Iran.
The ambassador suggested energy co-operation between the US and Pakistan to solve the energy shortage problem of the latter. The comments came a month after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speed up the construction of the Iran-Pak gas pipeline. On the other hand, media also reported that Russia would consider supporting the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project if Pakistan sought its help.