Despite Delays in Completing Iran's Gas Pipeline, Pakistan Says It Will Not Withdraw from the Project

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan stated that the country will not withdraw from the construction of the gas pipeline from Iran, despite the long delays in the project's implementation. On Tuesday, Ishaq Dar, in a press conference, said without mentioning the United States, 'We will not allow anyone to veto our decision.' Tehran and Islamabad signed an agreement in June 2009 for the export of Iranian gas to Pakistan through the construction of a pipeline between the two countries. Iran claimed in 2011 that it had completed the construction of the pipeline on its side, but the Pakistani side has delayed in construction and implementation. The main reason for this delay has been Islamabad's concerns over U.S. sanctions against Iran due to the Islamic Republic's nuclear activities. The Biden administration has repeatedly emphasized that it does not support the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline due to these sanctions. On Tuesday, the Pakistani Foreign Minister stated, 'The government decides what to do, when, and how, based on Pakistan's interests.' Last February, the interim government of Pakistan approved the construction of a small section of the pipeline to prevent potential penalties for delays in executing the contract. The government of Shehbaz Sharif, which took office in March, has not yet begun construction of this small section at the border between the two countries. However, due to the Islamic Republic's difficulties in selling oil and gas and generating revenue, it does not seem inclined to be strict. In late April, when Ibrahim Raisi, the President of the thirteenth government of the Islamic Republic, visited Pakistan, there was only a brief mention of this project. The Pakistani Defense Minister expressed hope for the completion of the joint gas pipeline with Iran. The shadow of sanctions looms over the construction of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline; the U.S. has warned about the risks of trading with Tehran. The U.S. rejected the issuance of a sanctions waiver for Pakistan regarding the construction of the Iran gas pipeline. Pakistan claims it does not need a 'sanctions waiver' to construct the gas import pipeline from Iran. Pakistan: 'Iran should not complain; we will construct the gas pipeline.' Turkmenistan's gas exports to Pakistan; the 'gas dream' of Iran has gone up in smoke.