BangersAndMash
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Read more...Politics plays: Cracks visible in Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline – The Express TribuneISLAMABAD: The emerging geopolitical situation following tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran over the Syrian conflict and other Gulf issues has swallowed the most feasible gas import project – Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline.
A Muslim brotherly country – said to be Saudi Arabia – recently gave $1.5 billion as a gift to Pakistan, catching everybody off guard with many questioning why a country that refused one-year credit facility for oil imports, doled out more than a billion dollars without getting any assurances.
As if persistent US pressure on Pakistan to abandon the IP pipeline was not enough, the gift looked like a final nail in the coffin of IP pipeline, officials say. According to media reports, though vehemently denied by the government, the Saudi grant was aimed at persuading Pakistan to sell weapons to Riyadh that would eventually be sent to the rebel groups fighting the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria.
The Syrian conflict has also triggered a rift between Saudi Arabia and Qatar who are said to be supporting different groups. This disagreement between the two Gulf Arab states also appears to be taking its toll on a project for liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchase from Doha.
Pakistan is planning to bring first LNG supplies from Qatar this year and is going to award a terminal services contract to the successful bidder. Qatar had asked Pakistan to have a terminal in place before striking any LNG deal.