US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Iran

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Pakistan’s economy is in shambles and growth is in negative. Hundreds, if not thousands, of industries are closing due to power crisis. Especially in Punjab. Inflation is in double digits, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
People are dying and educated youth see no future.

All this due to energy crisis.

And now when Pak is looking to help its people by trying to get energy from one of the cheapest and readily available source, Iran, the US threatens us with sanctions.
When Pak asked earlier for alternative to Iran oil, there was no answer from US side. Even Pak’s own request for civilian nuclear energy was rejected while the same was wholeheartedly allowed for India.

It is obvious that America cares only about its own economy and would punish anyone who works with its perceived enemies,** regardless of how critical the conditions are in other countries**. That’s the height of selfishness. US wouldn’t have imposed any sanctions on Iran if it knew that its own economy will suffer from them.

(http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2012/03/01/u-s-threatens-pakistan-drop-iran-pipeline/?mod=google_news_blog)
U.S. Threatens Pakistan: Drop Iran Pipeline
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has threatened Pakistan with sanctions if the country continues with plans to build a natural gas pipeline to Iran.
Mrs. Clinton told a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee Wednesday that sanctions could be triggered if Islamabad presses ahead. As Pakistan’s economy already is in dire straits, the sanctions could be “particularly damaging” and “further undermine their economic status,” Mrs. Clinton said.

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

Cut any type of dealing with USA is most best for Pakistan in future. For time we suffered it's sure specially our generals and politicians awam pehle hi mar rahi hai Kuch ziyada hard days aur Kay jaenge. They are not our God naozbillah. We need to done with china Iran afghanistan and India a senseable relations which is the need of time and reality. Almost public of Pakistan wana get rid of west self god father rules in Pakistan but our generals and politicians not.

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

^ The problem is that the same military/politicians will make our policies for whom the American Aid is like a heroine...

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

Yes I know this change I could say an inqilab for pakistan. What IK claim for a tsunami comming bla bla bla dependent on west and generals. Sigh

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

For Once lets start thinking about our Interests first ,to hell with anyone else .

so far I have the impression , this threat that we will go on with Iran's Pipeline ,emerges when our politicians want to up the ante with the USA , and in spite of all the fanfare do not appear serious or really interested in the pipe line .

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

  • Uncle Sam is a bully
  • Government won’t go against America
  • Financially we are corrupt enough to fund this project
  • I think nation should do some Sabar :jhanda:

PS: Jiya Bhutoo

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

Plastic pipe line ke bhi paisa nahi hai kiya hamare pas:chupki:yea jiye Bhutto

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

I think the Iranians are also giving aid to help in building the pipeline, but the masters dont like it so...

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

Iran offers Pakistan 80,000 bpd of crude oil, pipeline loan](http://presstv.com/detail/229299.html)

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

Oh really ???!!!!

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

This one was in my mind too SO we don’t need American AID for this plan right?

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

Not for this plan, but every now and then the government wants to get loan from foreign donors, the army wants coalition support fund and american weapons etc.

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

interesting article

Report: Pipe dreams by Ali K Chishti

**Pipe dreams
**
Pakistan is facing the worst energy crises in its history. The country depends largely on natural gas for its energy needs, and as its domestic reserves dwindle, fuel costs are rising, electricity shortage increasing, and businesses are shutting down.

The only hope is a controversial multi-billion dollar import deal with Iran. The “peace pipeline” project for the import of 21.5 million cubic meters of Iranian gas a day was signed in June 2010. The pipeline was initially planned to go all the way to India, but New Delhi left the project after disagreements with Islamabad over issues of terrorism and tariffs.

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http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/images/pic-box-top.jpg

[http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/20120120/The originally proposed route of the gas pipeline from Iran.jpg](http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/20120120/large-The originally proposed route of the gas pipeline from Iran.jpg)
The originally proposed route of the gas pipeline from Iran

http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/images/pic-box-bottom.jpg

**Despite international pressure on Pakistan over trade with Iran, the project is being pursued with support from an invisible partner. “The Chinese are using their influence in Pakistan and Iran and are financing the $1.2 billion Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline through their largest bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China,” said Dean I Patric, an American energy expert who lives in Dubai. He said China also wanted a rail link between the two countries.

Iranian expert Prof Amir Madani said the pipeline could be extended to China and India, helping Pakistan meet its energy needs and collect royalties. But the real importance of the project was its ability to change the geopolitical situation in the region, he added.

“If Iranian energy goes to China and India, it will create a new, dominant pole in the world economy,” he said. “The project is based on collaboration among Iran, Pakistan, India and China, and excludes the US and Saudi Arabia. That is why the US is doing all it can to stop it.”**

According to the proposal, the pipeline will begin from Iran’s Assalouyeh Energy Zone in the south and stretch over 1,100km through Iran, entering Pakistan and passing through Baluchistan to Sindh. But officials say the route may change if China is interested in the project.

Pakistan’s minister for oil and natural resources told the Senate recently that the pipeline would finish by the end of 2013, a year ahead of schedule.

“Pakistan wants to work on the project despite American pressure,” a close aide of the president told The Friday Times.

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http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/images/pic-box-top.jpg

[http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/20120120/Iranian engineers work on their section of the pipeline to Pakistan.jpg](http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta2/tft/20120120/large-Iranian engineers work on their section of the pipeline to Pakistan.jpg)
Iranian engineers work on their section of the pipeline to Pakistan

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But Lawrence Alan Levine, who has worked as a military adviser in the region, denied there was any pressure from the US. The recent sanctions “seek to encourage the Iranian state to comply with internationally recognized prohibitions on the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology”, he said. But “there is great opportunity for economic growth and development in the region, which can benefit many nations and people, and help bring peace and stability to the region. Many in the US would like to see Iran as a peaceful and progressive partner for peace.”

Indian policy expert and political commentator Desh Kapoor said New Delhi had been competing with Beijing for resources around the world. “The Iran-Pakistan pipeline is something that has lots of risks for India, but India should have still gone ahead with it without making it central to its energy policy,” Kapoor said. “Keeping out of it - however risky the project was - will not allow India to engage with either Iran or Pakistan in the energy sector.”
**
Whether Pakistan will able to deal with international and regional conflicts to go ahead with the project is yet to be seen. But with increasing terrorism inside the country and the instability in Balochistan, local experts believe it is a dream that may not come true. **

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[INDENT=2]*Pakistan rejects US pressure on gas project
*
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has refused to budge on its decision, despite the United State’s pressure on the gas pipeline deal with Iran and has said that it will go ahead with the project.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said the project was in the interest of Pakistan.

Khar was addressing a media briefing a day after the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that the project was “inexplicable” and could invoke US sanctions that would further ‘undermine’ Pakistan’s ‘already shaky’ economy.

Khar said that Pakistan and the US understands the importance of relationships based on the mutual respect.

However, respecting one’s sovereignty was equally important, she added.

Khar reiterated the stance that Pakistan would not allow anyone to use its territory against others.

Talking about Afghanistan, Khar said that Pakistan stands with the neighbouring country in the peace process.

DawnNews

[/INDENT]

It always sounds nice to glare at the US but are we giving enough thoughts to the fact that the sanctions against Iran have been authorized by the UN, of which we are a member and UN resolutions are binding on every member country?

But I clearly see here the point of argument that we can adopt to defy theses sactions: Gas pipleline is not a purely business move. It's simply a matter of survival for Pakistan. I think Pakistan should take up this issue in the UN with the help of China and Russia and inform the world body that Pakistan should either be provided with energy resourcea at its doorstep, or let it go ahead with the gas pipepline project on humanitarian grounds.

Given that Iranian curbs are sanctioned by the UN, Pakistan should involve the world body in this matter instead of going solo with the US.

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

see now it makes sense why some lawmakers in US would talk about independent Baluchistan?

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

when are they going to stop bullying us?

Thank God, FM said they are going ahead with the project...

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

The day Pak start using its tool like noko or nam...the day our a$$wipe leaders stop taking billions in bribes.

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

There was a breaking news on media
Tenders for this gas pipe line is awarded to a German firm.
Details are awaited .
On the other hand
Sanctions for you, too if …

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Re: US threatens Pak with sanctions for trying to solve its energy crisis through Ira

pakistan should not be worried abt these statements made by hillary we should divert our attention towards wht’s gud for the country,well sanctions are imposed then i guess nato supply will be stoped perminentaly…this will not bring any gud to America itself…