Iran FM discusses gas pipeline project on Pakistan visit

Printed from: https://newbostonpost.com/2015/08/13/iran-fm-discusses-gas-pipeline-project-on-pakistan-visit/

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Iranian foreign minister says he has discussed the possibility of resuming work on a stalled Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline during a visit to Islamabad.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, who arrived in the Pakistani capital on Thursday, spoke after meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other officials.

The gas pipeline project was designed to help Pakistan meet its energy needs, but Washington for years had opposed it because of concerns over Tehran’s nuclear program.

Zarif said he hoped that a landmark nuclear deal reached with world powers last month could pave the way for the resumption of work on the project.

Iran has invested over $2 billion in the project, but Pakistan has yet to finish construction on its half of the pipeline.