Iran, Pakistan to ink gas deal in Turkey

The Pakistani Federal Minister for Petroleum has declared that Pakistan and Iran will sign a deal in Turkey before February 15 to construct a gas pipeline between the two countries.

Naveed Qamar said that the construction of the pipeline will take between four and five years.

He noted that the natural gas shortage is damaging Pakistan’s economy and Islamabad is determined to start the import of natural gas from Iran as soon as possible, Daily Times reported.

The Pakistani minister’s remarks come as the US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke urged Islamabad last month to avoid the deal with Iran.

Holbrooke had said that the US would help Pakistan secure liquefied natural gas supplies should it abandon the planned gas deal with Iran.