ISLAMABAD: Balochistan has demanded a share in the transit fee for the part of the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline to be laid in the province, sources in the Petroleum Ministry told Daily Times on Tuesday.
The demand was made during a top-level meeting on August 18. Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani chaired the meeting. Balochistan Finance Minister Mir Aslam Kurd, Balochistan Chief Secretary Nasir Muhammad Khosa, and acting secretary GA Sabri represented the province. Of the 900-kilometre pipeline to be laid in Pakistan, 787 kilometres would be laid in Balochistan (and the rest in Sindh), provincial representatives said, and Balochistan’s share in the transit fee should be determined accordingly. They also asked for the province’s representation in talks on the project with India and Iran.
Sources said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had directed the ministry to address Balochistan’s concerns and that the ministry had assured the provincial officials they would consider their demands. Tripartite negotiations on the project were scheduled for July but could not be held because of a political crisis in Pakistan. They said Pakistan and Iran have finalised a Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) but the two countries were yet to sign it. The Law Division had vetted the draft and the Economic Co-ordination Committee of the cabinet had approved it. zafar bhutta
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