بشکریہ جنگ

                                 PAK IRAN GAS PIPELINE

   BY ZAHID KHAN

“Twenty years in the making” yes that’sright the first bilateral meetings over the construction of Pak-Iran gas pipewas back in 1992 but for some reasons practical work on the project could notbe started probably because of any international pressure or lack of interestor commitment from the Pakistani side mostly.

Iran was the first country to recognizePakistan on its birth in the United Nations and the two countries enjoyedcordial relations till the Khomeini’s revolution. Onward that there is nothingworthy to mention here. Iranblamed Pakistani militant organizations for some worst terrorist attacks thattook place on its soil and had said that such calculated attacks can only takeplace with the help and support of Pakistani authorities meaning the Pakistaniagencies are hand in gloves with the organizations that are spreading terrorinside Iran.

Pakistan had always categorically deniedsuch accusations and had condemned these acts whether it had taken place in a neighboring country or anywhere around the world. Well let’s not go into thedetails of accusations and counter accusations the better thing is that theunfriendly relations between the two countries had taken the path of a “mutualrespect” and both countries enjoy a good working relation partnership thesedays.

The Pak Iran gas pipeline also known as thepeace pipeline will prove to be a milestone in the relations between the two neighboring countries.

This will give a chance to both thecountries to enhance their understanding on areas of mutual interest and worktogether on many such bilateral projects. The project will help Pakistan to fulfill its gas requirements domestically and will also create manyopportunities as well on both sides of the border.

The only thing to worry about is that theproject was signed by the out going government when its term was near to thefinish line so the rest of the work which of course is the major work has to bedone by the coming government lets hope that they do not bend down on theirknees to any international pressure no matter what.

This pipeline is in the benefit of Pakistanand the interest of Pakistan should come first to any politician who is loyalto his motherland.