<p>The US raised the pipeline project during the fourth round of a dialogue on energy with Pakistan that concluded in Islamabad yesterday without any major tangible gains, The Express Tribune newspaper quoted unnamed officials as saying.<br /><br />The officials said US Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs, Ambassador Carlos Pascual, "advised" Islamabad to abandon its plans to import gas from Iran.<br /><br />He proposed instead that Pakistan should pursue the TAPI gas pipeline with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and India.<br /><br />A US Embassy spokesperson confirmed that the US is concerned with Pakistan's plans regarding the pipeline project from Iran and that the issue was raised in Ambassador Pascual's meetings.<br /><br />"The proposed Pakistan-Iran pipeline, if built, could raise concerns under the Iran Sanctions Act. We are encouraging Pakistan to seek alternatives," said the US Embassy spokesperson.<br /><br />Asked about reported US opposition to the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project at a weekly news briefing yesterday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said the project was in Pakistan's interest as the country is facing an energy crisis.<br /><br />"Therefore, it is the decision of the government of Pakistan to continue this cooperative project with Iran to ensure that energy is provided to the people as required," she said.</p>
<p>The US raised the pipeline project during the fourth round of a dialogue on energy with Pakistan that concluded in Islamabad yesterday without any major tangible gains, The Express Tribune newspaper quoted unnamed officials as saying.<br /><br />The officials said US Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs, Ambassador Carlos Pascual, "advised" Islamabad to abandon its plans to import gas from Iran.<br /><br />He proposed instead that Pakistan should pursue the TAPI gas pipeline with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and India.<br /><br />A US Embassy spokesperson confirmed that the US is concerned with Pakistan's plans regarding the pipeline project from Iran and that the issue was raised in Ambassador Pascual's meetings.<br /><br />"The proposed Pakistan-Iran pipeline, if built, could raise concerns under the Iran Sanctions Act. We are encouraging Pakistan to seek alternatives," said the US Embassy spokesperson.<br /><br />Asked about reported US opposition to the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project at a weekly news briefing yesterday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said the project was in Pakistan's interest as the country is facing an energy crisis.<br /><br />"Therefore, it is the decision of the government of Pakistan to continue this cooperative project with Iran to ensure that energy is provided to the people as required," she said.</p>
