Pakistan Seeks Clarification on Iran Minister's Comment on Gas Pipeline

Pakistan has sought an explanation from Iran after its oil minister publicly stated that the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project was likely to be annulled.

According to The Hindu, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday said that there was an agreement signed between Pakistan and Iran for the gas pipeline and it cannot be called off unilaterally.

Abbasi said that Pakistan has asked for a meeting to discuss the project and its future. The meeting could be held later in November depending on when Iran responds, The Hindu reported.

He said that media reports cannot be the basis for judging if a project is called off or not and no official word had come from Iran on this.

On Thursday, the Pakistan government said it was committed to the project and was exploring all means of sourcing energy keeping in mind the acute shortage.

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