March 09, 2013 .


The government seems to have settled for a mere ‘hope’ that the USA will understand its compulsions in going ahead with the Iranian gas pipeline, according to the Foreign Office spokesman during his weekly briefing to the press on Thursday in Islamabad. He told the press that “We know about their concerns but expect and hope that all our friends, including the US, will show more understanding on this issue.” This seems more like a ‘hope against hope’ rather than a genuine understanding. The project is not just important to the future welfare of Pakistan’s citizens, as the Iranian gas will help end the energy shortage that manifests itself in long hours of loadshedding. The shortage has led to cancelled export orders, falling export revenues, closing factories and lost jobs. On the other hand, the isolation of Iran for its alleged nuclear programme, is not a circumstance that Pakistan would wish to share. Threatening Pakistan with sanctions is unfair though, given that China and India are exempt from similar sanctions applicable to them for their trade with Iran.

Not only would this be the President's second visit to Iran this year, but it would also represent an important part of the PPP campaign in the coming election. The resistance to the US pressure on the pipeline is an election stunt as much as necessary spine required for the project, but a discerning observer should look to see where the funds for the pipeline are and whether Pakistan will be able to fulfil its commitments before election time, or whether the new government after elections will have to make room in the budget for the project. At the same time, there must be a realization that Pakistan cannot withdraw from the project. However, it is of sufficient importance to Pakistan for President Asif Zardari to go to Iran for a solution to loadshedding which is an existential threat and cannot be ignored. It cannot be forgotten that no viable alternative was proposed, the TAPI proposal being a nonstarter for the immediate short term.

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