In a statement, the Ministry of Energy said that a summary of the Petroleum Division regarding the IP Gas Pipeline was taken up by the cabinet committee in its session today.
The CCoE, the statement mentioned, approved the recommendations of the Ministerial Oversight Committee for the project constituted by caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in September 2023, whereby the committee recommended starting the work on the 80km segment of the pipeline inside Pakistan — from Pakistan’s border up to Gwadar in the first phase.
The project will be executed by Inter State Gas Systems (Pvt.) Ltd and funded through Gas Infrastructure Development, the statement mentioned.
All the concerned divisions, the ministry said, gave a positive nod to move ahead with the project to ensure gas supplies to the people of Pakistan, thereby addressing the increasing energy needs of the country.
The ministry added that the project would not only boost the energy security of Pakistan but would enhance the confidence of the local industry, which would be ensured with the enhanced gas supplies.
“This will also catalyze the economic activity in the province of Balochistan and will contribute to the economic progress of Pakistan,” the ministry added.
Iran had previously given Pakistan a 180-day deadline until September 2024 to start completion of the pipe-laying work. Tehran warned Islamabad if its authorities do not accept the suggestion, Iran will move to the Paris-based International Arbitration for non-execution of the project and the Islamic Republic will seek an $18 billion penalty by lodging a complaint at the Paris-based institute.
However, Iran also proposed that it can provide Pakistan with its legal and technical expertise in order to jointly develop a win-win strategy before the end of the deadline.
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