According to a press report, the Iran-Pakistan Natural Gas Pipeline project, estimated to be worth US$ 7 billion would start soon once the legal and financial agreements are signed. Pakistan would likely start receiving the gas by end of 2015. The project has taken over 10 years to conclude which has, naturally, ratcheted up the costs manifolds but its completion means fulfillment of the dream of energy security for Pakistan whose entire present and future energy requirements would be met with it. Billed in the beginning as a 'peace pipeline that connected Iran, Pakistan and India in a filial bondage of energy, and therefore common destiny, the project faltered somewhat when India opted out of it under pressure from the US. That seemed like a move against Indias best national interest which, in this case at least, had coincided with that of Pakistan. Now that it is on anvil, the project would further strengthen the good brotherly relations between Iran and Pakistan which must further explore other projects that are mutually beneficial. A number of Iranian companies have the capabilities to build fine hydro power projects, a skill direly needed by Pakistan at this point of time. The gas accrued from Iran should, may I suggest, be used for two sectors exclusively; power generation and fertilizer making. Instead of burning it in the stoves at our homes, as we have been doing for the last 50 years, we should be burning it to mint gold that can be earned from using it to run these two industries. -ENGR. S.T. HUSSAIN, Lahore, June 8.