ISLAMABAD: Iran Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moqaddam said that while the United States may impede payment for the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, both nations are capable of overcoming any difficulties, according to The News on Saturday.
The envoy’s remarks came a day after US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu expressed concern about the improved relations between Pakistan and Iran following the resumption of the gas pipeline project.
“Honestly, I’m not sure where the funding for such a project would come from. I don’t think many international donors would be interested in sponsoring such an endeavor,” Lu said and pointed out, “We have also not heard from the Government of Pakistan a desire for any remission of American sanctions.That would undoubtedly result from such a project.”
Speaking at a Nowruz celebration on the embassy’s lawn, the Iranian ambassador stated that a plan of action may be devised to address this issue.
Moqaddam stated that the agreement struck in 2009 did not allow for further extensions because Iran had already finished a 1,000-kilometer gas pipeline on its side at a cost of $1 billion. He emphasized that Pakistan had not yet executed the deal.
He stated that Iran had completed its job years ago, but it has been waiting for Pakistan to implement the agreement for the past decade.
