ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid has said that Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project remains intact and both the countries are working on it.
Talking to The Nation on Wednesday, he said the agreement between the two countries was intact and efforts were underway to expedite the work.
A few days ago, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Pakistan government had requested the government of Iran for review in price of the gas as well as $2 billion to complete the project, which was to be commissioned by 2014.
Pakistan entered into bilateral agreement with Iran early this year and presidents of the two countries also laid the foundation for the multi billion dollars project under which Iran would provide gas through the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
As per agreement, Iran would lay the gas pipeline in its territory while Pakistan is yet to start work on its side. Both the neighbouring countries have been reiterating commitments to complete the project amid US threats of imposing sanctions.
PAK STANCE ON DRONE UNCHANGED
Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid has said that the government has not changed its stance on the issue of drone attacks‚ rather the Prime Minister during his recent visit to Washington had raised this issue with President Obama.
Talking to media in Islamabad on Wednesday, the minister said that the whole nation stands united on this issue and now the international community is also supporting our stance. He expressed the confidence that the government will be successful in halting drone strikes soon.
To a question‚ Rashid said that the government is working on a plan to ensure cheap electricity through coal and alternative resources and hoped load-shedding will be overcome gradually. He said that work is underway to complete 6600 MW coal power project in Gadani which would help improve the situation and provide cheap electricity to the people.
Pervaiz Rashid said that the present government has taken serious steps to tackle complex issues which were ignored in the last five years. He also said that successful efforts are under way to bring complete peace in Karachi besides improving law & order situation in Balochistan.
To a question, the minister said that the PM also raised the issue of release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui during his visit to the United States, which was never raised by the previous governments. He said that the government is making sincere efforts to revive the economy so that relief could be given to the people.
Pervaiz Rashid said the government believes in freedom and protection of the citizens and no citizen has been abducted or gone missing during the last five months.
The minister said that the government will take all possible steps to save mega enterprises and national institutions to revive them and make them profitable.