Iranian Consul General Ahmad Mohammadi expressed on Thursday Iran’s keenness towards increasing electricity supply to Pakistan from 130 megawatts to 3,000 megawatts. Energy imported from Iran will significantly increase electricity supply for Pakistan.
Mohammadi was speaking at the Iranian Consulate General in Karachi, at an event held to mark the 38th anniversary of the Iranian revolution. The event was also attended by CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah. Announcing the development Mohammadi said:
“The Iran gas pipeline is the cheapest, most secure and profitable source of energy for Pakistan. It is a turning point for ties between the two countries and both are determined to complete it at the earliest.”
Pakistan borders with Iran at its western front and the two countries’ relationship is defined by common historical & cultural affinities and political and economic cooperation. Both the neighboring nations are not only bound together because of their geographical closeness, but the actual basis of relationship is provided by their shared values and common religious ethos. Talking about long-term economic and social relationship between the two countries, Mr. Mohammadi added:
“The expansion of ties with neighboring countries is one of the priorities of Iran’s foreign policy and Pakistan, being a Muslim neighboring country, has a very special place in the foreign policy of Iran. Iran desires prosperity, security and stability of Pakistan and believes that it will also be beneficial for Iran.”
Can Iran Provide a Viable Alternative for Pakistan’s Energy Demand?
Iran’s and Pakistan’s concerns and interests are deeply interlinked in the new regional and global climate. Iran has over 9 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves and about 16 percent of the proven natural gas resources.
Cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector comprises majorly of two domains: gas and electricity. In the energy sector, cooperation between the two nations has reached a new high with ‘IP Gas-Pipeline project’.
After 16 years of talk and negotiations, the final agreement on the export of natural gas from Iran to Pakistan was concluded in 2010, which was initially scheduled to be operational by 2014. The construction work on the line, however, has not yet been completed. Once the project kicks off, it will deliver 22 million cubic meters of gas per day.
Furthermore, there is no third party involved in the ‘IP gas pipeline project’. It is pertinent to mention that the gas pipeline could meet 25 percent of Pakistan’s energy requirement.
Currently, Pakistan is facing a massive power shortfall of 6,500-7,000 megawatts. The potential gas supply from the IP pipeline could be employed to produce a good chunk of electricity, something Pakistan desperately needs at the moment.
It must not end here. Pakistan can significantly overcome its energy demands through taking further strengthening measures on gas and electricity projects. For Pakistan to be economically competitive in the region, the energy issue must be thoroughly tackled as it’s a crosscutting driver for economic prosperity.
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