Lahore, Dec 19(ANI): Pakistan has speeded up the pace of work on the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project.
Highly-placed diplomatic sources told The Nation that the project, which was likely to be completed in 2014, might be completed one year ahead of its schedule, and the gas flow would start between June and December 2013.
Sources said the United States was opposed to the resumption of work on the project.
"They have gone to the extent of threatening President Zardari of economic sanctions if work is not stopped immediately," the sources said.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter had earlier expressed concern over the project to President Zardari and added that Islamabad should procure gas from Turkmenistan.
Pakistan Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain said all physical surveys to lay 790-kilometre pipeline into Pakistan's soil have already been completed.
"China, ICPC and Habib Bank Limited have been chosen to act as financial advisers. China has also given assurances to financially help Pakistan construct this pipeline to complete this project on war footing," The Nation quoted Hussain, as saying.
"Our dependence on Pak-Iran pipeline was very high and there is no other substitute at present to meet the growing demand for energy," he added.
He said the Steering Committee would grant a formal clearance to the project before the tenders are floated to already short-listed contractors.
He said negotiations were underway with Iran to ensure that gas prices through Pak-Iran pipeline were lower than TAPI (Trans Afghanistan pipeline) gas and Tehran would likely agree to Islamabad's demand. (ANI)
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