No Waiver Request from Pakistan on gas pipeline project: State Department

In a recent development, the United States has clarified that Pakistan has not submitted any waiver request for the completion of the Pak Iran Gas Pipeline project. Speaking to ARY News, a State Department spokesperson dismissed earlier reports regarding the refusal of a waiver on sanctions imposed on Iran.

The spokesperson stated, “No, there has not been a waiver request.”

Contrary to earlier claims, a senior Pakistani official disclosed that while Pakistan has not officially requested a waiver, the matter has been raised in routine diplomatic discussions with the United States.

“Yes, that’s true, we never made any official request to the US to give a waiver on Pak Iran Gas Pipeline Project but it was a topic of discussion in Diplomatic conversations,” the official revealed.

It was further revealed that during these discussions, Pakistan was informed that any such waiver request would not be entertained by the United States, leading Pakistan to refrain from officially making the request.

With a looming deadline of March this year to complete Pakistan’s portion of the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, sources indicate that Pakistan has informed Iran of its intention to complete the project despite challenges posed by US sanctions. Pakistan has requested an extension of the March deadline considering the current circumstances.

The pipeline project, known as the Peace pipeline or IP Gas, has faced numerous hurdles since its inception, including geopolitical tensions, economic factors, and international sanctions. Despite Iran completing its portion of the pipeline, progress has been hindered by US sanctions.

Negotiations to resolve the project’s challenges must conclude by March 2024 to avoid legal complications, with Pakistan having until September 2024 to fulfill its obligations. Both Iran and Pakistan are exploring strategies to complete the pipeline outside the scope of US sanctions, emphasizing the project’s significance for their national interests.

The Iranian-Pakistani gas pipeline project, initially conceived in 2013 with an inauguration near Iran’s Chabahar port, remains a complex initiative influenced by regional dynamics and global geopolitics.

The Pakistani caretaker government recently approved the project’s completion, but after American reservations, Pakistan has halted implementation once again.

In light of these developments, both nations continue to navigate the intricate web of geopolitics, economic interests, and international relations surrounding the Pak Iran Gas Pipeline project.