Pak media: Pakistan needs to build energy ties with Iran

 Leading English daily, Express Tribune in its report said the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project is strategically important for Pakistan as it seems to be the most viable as sanctions are gone.

Pakistan media regularly publish different articles and opinions suggesting Pakistani government to stick with Iran energy projects and stand firm with country’s national interests without paying any attention to foreign pressures.

Express Tribune in the report says that the US is persistently trying to have its say in Pakistan’s energy matters as it is opposed to the laying of Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline and Russia-sponsored North-South liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline, but Pakistan must look for its own interests.

Just before the end of Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) government in the first half of 2013, the two countries inaugurated the IP project but later it was put on the backburner due to mounting US pressure.

Over the years, the US has undertaken two initiatives to keep Pakistan away from energy cooperation with Iran.
Though sanctions against Iran have been lifted, Pakistan is still unable to push ahead with the project. Not only gas and electricity, Iran has huge reserves of oil as well which could also benefit Pakistan in future. It makes sense for Pakistan to forge energy ties with Iran as it sits very close to the Iranian oil and gas deposits.

Express Tribune said it is time for Pakistan to reshape its policy and focus on the energy security programme, which will also lead to national security.

‘Pakistan has suffered a lot due to the tilt towards Washington and it should now pursue multiple options to secure future energy supplies.’