ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said that Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas project is top priority for Pakistan more than any other gas pipeline project.
“Pakistan fully committed to implement IP gas pipeline project without any foreign pressure”, the minister said while talking to the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The minister said that Pakistan is committed to implement IP gas pipeline project, unfortunately the project was delayed in the past due to international sanctions.
The petroleum minister acknowledged the cooperation offered by Iran in areas of electricity supply to coastal areas. He said that both Pakistan and Iran need more cooperation and investment in areas of energy and petroleum.
The Iranian ambassador drew the attention of the minister on the exploration of possibilities in energy sector cooperation especially IP gas pipeline. He said that IP gas pipeline will be a game changer for the region. He said that other Countries are willing to cooperate in construction of IP gas pipeline.
Mehdi Honardoost offered cooperation in government to government deal in the area of import of petroleum products to curb the smuggling.
The ambassador also invited the petroleum minister to visit Iran to work on cooperation in petroleum sector and IP gas pipeline, which the latter accepted.
The minister and the ambassador agreed to have a meeting of working group on IP gas pipeline before the minister’s visit to Iran. They also agreed to enhance bilateral trade between the two Countries.
