Pipeline pact in December: Natwar

Published September 4, 2005

NEW DELHI, Sept 3: Pakistan, India and Iran are expected to sign a pact in December, which will enable them to go ahead with the proposed $7.4 billion pipeline project to supply natural gas from Iran to Pakistan and India, the Press Trust of India said on Saturday.

“If all goes well, there can be a tripartite meeting of the concerned ministers to finalize a framework agreement by Dec 31,” Indian Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh was quoted as saying in Tehran.

He was speaking after holding talks with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki.

The news agency said Tehran had agreed to supply five million tons of liquid natural gas to India annually. India had asked for 7.5 million tons of gas supply.

APP adds: An Indian energy sector delegation will visit Pakistan next week to proceed with dialogue on the execution of the project.

The Prime Minister’s Adviser on Energy Mukhtar Ahmad said in a meeting with members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Karachi that the two sides would discuss pre- and post-execution issues relating to the project.

He said Iran would forward its proposals regarding terms of reference for the project next month.

Opinion

Editorial

Border clashes
19 May, 2024

Border clashes

THE Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier has witnessed another series of flare-ups, this time in the Kurram tribal district...
Penalising the dutiful
19 May, 2024

Penalising the dutiful

DOES the government feel no remorse in burdening honest citizens with the cost of its own ineptitude? With the ...
Students in Kyrgyzstan
Updated 19 May, 2024

Students in Kyrgyzstan

The govt ought to take a direct approach comprising convincing communication with the students and Kyrgyz authorities.
Ominous demands
Updated 18 May, 2024

Ominous demands

The federal government needs to boost its revenues to reduce future borrowing and pay back its existing debt.
Property leaks
18 May, 2024

Property leaks

THE leaked Dubai property data reported on by media organisations around the world earlier this week seems to have...
Heat warnings
18 May, 2024

Heat warnings

STARTING next week, the country must brace for brutal heatwaves. The NDMA warns of severe conditions with...