Islamabad, Sept 16(ANI): The United States has renewed its opposition to the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, warning that Islamabad's continuous pursuit of the plan may invoke US sanctions, according to a news report.
The issue was raised during the fourth round of the Pak-US strategic dialogue on energy cooperation that concluded in Islamabad on Thursday without any major tangible gains.
The US Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs, Carlos Pascual, who led the American delegation, 'advised' Islamabad to abandon its plan to import gas from Iran, The Express Tribune reported, attributing to officials familiar with the development.
Pascual proposed that Pakistan pursue the TAPI project, a gas pipeline through Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
According to the paper, a US embassy spokesperson confirmed that Washington is concerned with Pakistan's current direction, and the issue was raised in Ambassador Pascual's meetings.
"The proposed Pakistan-Iran pipeline, if built, could raise concerns under the Iran Sanctions Act. We are encouraging Pakistan to seek alternatives", read a terse response from the US embassy.
The renewed opposition from the US came just days after high level talks between Pakistan and Iran, where Islamabad renewed its commitment to the Iran gas pipeline project despite US objections in this regard.
On the other hand, Water and Power Minister Naveed Qamar, who represented Pakistan at the strategic dialogue on energy cooperation, denied that such a discussion took place, the paper said. (ANI)
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