Baluchistan demands stake in IPI

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Top officials in the Pakistani province of Baluchistan are demanding a stake in transit fees from the planned Iran-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline.

Pakistan's Petroleum Ministry said it heard demands from top officials in the southwestern province for a share in the transit fee for the gas pipeline, the Pakistani Daily Times said Wednesday. The proposed pipeline will run 560 miles through Pakistan with 489 miles of that through Baluchistan.

Provincial officials said their share in transit fees should reflect the portion of the pipeline hosted by Baluchistan.

Pakistan and Iran have concluded talks on the Gas Sales Purchase Agreement but have yet to formally sign the deal. A spokesman for Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the government would take provincial matters into consideration before signing the measure.

Provincial officials said they also would like to be included in any talks regarding the pipeline, which will carry natural gas from the Iranian South Pars gas field.