Pakistan: American pressure is the main obstacle to the gas pipeline with Iran

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif has criticized Washington’s approach to the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, saying Islamabad should enter into diplomacy with the United States and encourage any other country to sign the pipeline agreement. “Gas from Iran is relevant, involve them to allow us to complete this agreement.”
The Pakistani minister told the Independent newspaper that “this issue is vital for Pakistan” and that international pressures are preventing Pakistan from complying with its agreement with Iran.
If Islamabad does not fulfill its commitment to the project, Iran could demand $18 billion in compensation, the Independent reported.
“We will not be able to pay $18 billion, especially in the current economic situation,” the Pakistani defense minister said. We need to find a way out of this situation, we need to ask other countries to convince the United States to allow us to complete the gas pipeline contract with Iran.
He pointed to the trade and economic interactions of other countries with Iran despite the sanctions, saying: India trades with Iran and many countries trade with Iran without any punishment, but we are extorted, which is a great abuse.
Washington has repeatedly expressed its opposition to the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said last week that the United States was not advising any country, including Pakistan, to accept sanctions waivers from the US to complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. to consider trade with Iran.
“We will continue to implement our sanctions against Iran,” Miller said. “We therefore advise anyone considering trade agreements with Iran to consider the consequences of such agreements.”