Islamabad to proceed with Iran-India gas pipeline

Pakistan plans to go ahead with the multi-million dollar Iran-Indian gas pipeline despite the threat of sanctions from Washington.

Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri told journalists here he has informed Washington that Pakistan is under pressure to provide energy for its fast-growing economy.

He noted that the growth in both India and Pakistan will fuel a huge consumer base in the region. "India and Pakistan both have decided to work on this project as we need the gas for our security," he said.

Indian Oil minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has already met his Pakistan counterpart (Amanullah Khan Jadoon) to discuss the project and an experts committee is discussing the feasibility of the project, the minister said.

The proposed 2,775-km gas pipeline will run through Pakistan to deliver gas from Iran's South Pars field, to the Indian border. Aiyar earlier said that if security and other issues are resolved, the project could be started within three years.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has strongly voiced concern that the pipeline is against the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act. Under the Act, US economic assistance could be denied to violators and they could also face sanctions.

Rice has reportedly urged Kasuri to look at other options such as running the pipeline from Qatar or from Turkmenistan.

Asked to comment on Iran's stand-off with Washington over its nuclear capability. Kasuri said Iran is Pakistan's neighbour and hoped that a peaceful solution could be achieved. "Pakistan is prepared to play a positive role in this respect, if asked, and want the tension to go," he said.

The minister said all states must abide by the treaties they have agreed to, such as the NPT (nuclear non-proliferation treaty) and but also enjoy the rights that have been conferred on them.

Kasuri was passing through Dubai after attending the foreign minister's meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Sana'a.