Islamabad again talks of Iran's gas

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A pipeline stretching from the South Pars gas field in Iran to Pakistan could be completed within three years, the Pakistani prime minister said.

Tehran and Islamabad finalized a deal in June for the delivery of 750 million cubic feet of natural gas through the pipeline from the South Pars gas complex in the Persian Gulf.

Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was quoted by Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying a gas pipeline could be developed within the next few years.

"We are working on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project as it is vital to overcome the energy challenges of the country and it would be completed in three years time," he was quoted as saying.

Western allies object to the pipeline because of the potential economic benefit for Tehran, which is under pressure from economic sanctions imposed for its controversial nuclear program.

Iran is up against a Western-backed gas project from Turkmenistan that would see a pipeline cross Afghan and Pakistani territory on its way to India. New Delhi was included in the Iranian pipeline plans, though security and political issues have kept India largely on the sidelines.

Delegates from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan met Dec. 11 with representatives in Turkmenistan to sign a framework agreement on the pipeline.