Khawaja Asif, Pakistan's Defense Minister, during an interview with Geo TV, expressed confidence that Pakistan and Iran will finish construction of the "Peace" pipeline, despite Washington's ominous overtures concerning Islamabad's economic ties with Tehran.
Asif stressed the urgent need for regional stakeholders to devise a unified strategy in "safeguarding their interests", especially in the face of escalating interference from major Western powers. He underscored the success of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's recent visit to Pakistan, emphasizing its pivotal role in advancing the stalled pipeline project amidst geopolitical complexities and international sanctions.
High-level discussions between Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and President Raisi centered on expediting Pakistan's pipeline segment, strategizing responses to potential American sanctions, and exploring alternative avenues to mitigate such repercussions.
The warning shot from the US came on April 23, with a spokesperson from the State Department cautioning Pakistan about the potential ramifications of its economic collaboration with Iran, hinting at looming sanctions.
Under the initial agreement with Iran, Pakistan had committed to completing its pipeline segment by January 2015. However, construction delays ensued due to US sanctions against Tehran and Washington's refusal to greenlight the project's completion. In a bid to evade an eye-watering $18 billion fine in the International Court of Arbitration, Pakistan recently commenced construction on its segment, stretching from the strategic port city of Gwadar in southwestern Balochistan province to the Iranian border.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: btr/Creative Commons 2.5
Based on materials from TASS