Gilani: Pak will import gas from Iran

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In a U-turn to his Monday’s statement, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that his government will go ahead with the plan to import gas from Iran even if the United States imposes sanctions against the West Asian nation.
“Pakistan will go ahead with a plan to import natural gas from Iran even if the US levies additional sanctions on Iran,” Mr Gilani said.
Speaking at a luncheon in honour of parliamentarians here, Mr Gilani said, “We are not bound to implement the US decisions. We will follow if the United Nations imposes the sanctions.”
His comments come two days after the US special envoy to Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, said new sanctions being finalised by Congress could affect the deal with Iran. The Prime Minister said Pakistan would reconsider the gas deal if it violated UN sanctions, but not those levied unilaterally by the US.
Iran inked a contract earlier this month to export 21.5 million cubic metres of gas per day to Pakistan through a new pipeline beginning in 2014.
The construction of the pipeline is estimated to cost some $7 billion.
On Monday, Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan under the international obligations will adhere to any restrictions imposed against any country including Iran. “Pakistan as a member of the international community has to follow any sanctions imposed,” he said.
Mr Holbrooke had advised Pakistan not to rush into any gas project with Iran.
“Pakistan is a sovereign country. It can take its own decisions but the anticipated US sanctions on Iran could hit the Pakistani companies if they continue with the (gas) project with Iran,” Mr Holbrooke warned.