NA body urges govt to remove obstacles for Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline project.

ISLAMABAD -- The National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs urged the government to eliminate obstacles to successful completion of Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline.

The chairman of the committee MNA Mohsin Dawar expressed concern that despite sanctions on Iran, some of the regional countries have been granted waivers vis-a-vis oil trade with Iran.

However, Pakistan could not secure such waivers to engage in a beneficial oil trade relation with Iran. Urging the need for a robust diplomacy, he urged the officials of the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to aggressively pursue options to secure waivers on oil trade with Iran like India and China.

The officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Commerce briefed the committee on Pakistan-Iran political and bilateral trade relations.

The committee was informed that Pak-Iran relations were deep rooted in cultural, historical and religious linkages. Iran was the first country that diplomatically recognised Pakistan and subsequently both the countries evolved institutional cooperation under the umbrella of SEATO, CENTO and RCD. Iran has always supported Pakistan stance on Kashmir and Palestine. It was highlighted that sanctions on Iran precluded significant expansion in Pak- Iran's trade and economic relations.

The committee members raised concerns about the inordinate delay in completion of Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline and stressed as to why an agreement was concluded when it was not complied with.

The members inquired about repercussions of Pakistan's failure to complete construction of Gas Pipeline on Pakistani side by the deadline of the agreement.

The committee was informed that as per agreement the pipeline should be completed by 2024 and in case of failure Pakistan may face arbitration in a French Court and Pakistan might...