Unless the US is willing to meet Pakistans energy need, Pakistan should tell them to get lost.
US officials have threatened to impose sanctions on the Pakistani government following reports that they intend to construct a natural gas pipeline to neighboring Iran, which would be used to import gas into energy poor Pakistan.
Pakistan has been struggling with energy shortages for years, making rolling blackouts a regular part of life across much of the nation, with many towns seeing electricity at best 8 hours a day.
The US, however, says that their own aid program considers Pakistan’s energy needs a “top priority” and that they should consider buying gas from someplace else, or getting involved in India’s pipeline through Afghanistan.
But US aid has done little for the provision of energy so far, and is constantly being threatened for political gain at any rate. Likewise, rival India is unlikely to allow Pakistan to get involved in their own pipeline scheme even if they wanted to. Iran, then, is the cheapest and most sensible alternative.
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
What BS! If the US is so worried about Pakistan trading with Iran, they should be ready to give us something bigger in exchange. Free oil of the value of the gas to be imported would be nice. And if not, then Pakistan should tell them to just shut it.
But no doubt out pansy politicians would already have asked the US Govt to transfer some money into some Swiss accounts.
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
We should not listen to US as he is not only against Iran but will also harm us in the long run. We are in dire need for energy and Iran can be most economical and trusted supplier of it. In fact, the Pipeline will foster close economic and diplomatic ties between both the neighbors. Iran has always suspected us due to our proximity towards S.Arabia. it is the time that we show our solidarity towards Iran and bridge the gap between S.A and Iran in order to strengthen the Islamic cause. US wants to see divided Muslim nations, we should not allow the it.
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
This is pay-back for US-India-nuclear-deal, take this deal and shove up urs buddy, we need energy too, its not just you India and China who want access to oil/gas.
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
These Sanctions US is threatening will come any way, if today Pakistan backs-off then tomorrow US would impose sanctions using some other excuse, US is known for hypocrite, Let them impose what ever they want to impose, and lets go ahead with the deal, afterall it is us who is suffering from Power cuts and shortage of energy not US.. I wonder where is Med11, his US is threatening Pakistan again, wonder if he can defend this?
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
Perhaps this may be one of the reasons US term Pakistan as unreliable ally. Iran is black listed unleass Uncle Sam approves, it looks deal may not get through or delayed. It all depends on Kyani if he is willing to bear the displeasure of America, otherwise the deal is in Pakistan's interest.
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
Isn't it PPP, with their executive head of party Zardari, who is to sign the contract? Good deal by blaming it on the military while taking all the credit, even if the military itself deployed in floods last year.
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
Unfortunately, in international relations, if you are an ally, you don't make deals with your enemies at the displeasure of your ally. India has/had good relationship with Iran, yet it choose US over Iran, because India is considers US as an ally and vice versa, whereas Iran is only considered as a good neighbour and trading partner. You make trade-offs.
It's time for Pakistan to decide, if it want to be an ally of US? The problem is given the messy situation in Pakistan, if not ally then will be considered an enemy by US. Best way to get out of it is blast the way out. By eliminating the scourge of terrorism from KP and Wazirsthan, then de-link US to join hands with China. China needs Pakistan (like US needed Pakistan in Afganistan) to counter India. If Pakistan is any smarter, it will not let this relationship go the same way as US-Pak went.
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
Isn't it PPP, with their executive head of party Zardari, who is to sign the contract? Good deal by blaming it on the military while taking all the credit, even if the military itself deployed in floods last year.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry knows that foriegn policy of Pakistan is controlled by military not Zardari. Zardari can not move at his own and make such deals with foreign countries which are black listed by Uncle Sam.
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
If Pakistani leaders had any spine at all, it would be us threatening the US (blocking their supply routes) instead of the other way around. Pathetic!
You can not. Be careful what you say. Pakistan army can not afford displeasure of Sam. Pakistan is passing through very crucial time, any such hasty decision can cause repition of 1971.
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
I hope the Pakistani government doesn't bottle it. I know many people including myself would love to tell the US to piss off but unfortunately due to the actions of our oh so "great" leaders of the past and now took on huge debts which ties us behind bars in a sense. Thanks a lot to those fools/
Re: US Threatens Pakistan With Sanctions Over Attempted Iranian Gas Importation
How about taxing the NATO supply lines to get debt free ahead of schedule?
As a country we receive a lot of aid whether it is civilian or military. This could easily we withdrawn if we demanded tax on supplying routes. The issue is the absolute robbery, inefficiency and lack of transparency of revenues and aid we have received. The problem is the people, the mindset. Until that is changed Pakistan will never change for the better. Look at countries like South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore who gained independence after us and yet they have boomed.