Islamabad - Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) welcomed inauguration of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project Wednesday and termed it as a Peace Pipeline which would mark a new chapter in history of Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations.
The President of ICCI, Zafar Bakhtawari, said that the completion of this project would greatly help in overcoming the countryˈs energy problems and improving energy supply, especially to manufacturing and industrial sectors which would ultimately make the industrial units more competitive in the global world.
The ICCI President said that the functioning of the IP Gas Pipeline would ensure supply of 750 million cubic feet of natural gas per day and help bridge the energy gap of around 4000 MW, required to keep industrial and commercial wheels of the country into perpetual motion.
Bakhtawari was of the view that early completion of this mega project of national importance would be a great favor to the business community and industrialists as most of the industrial units are now depending on electricity.
ˈThus, the execution of this project would provide gas to power producing units, which would definitely improve the competitiveness of export-oriented products and enhance the countryˈs exportsˈ, he maintained.
He further said that the IP Gas Pipeline will remove the mistrust between Pakistan and Iran which was prevailing since 30 years ago, adding that it would also help eradicate terrorism and bring prosperity in Balochistan.
Bakhtawari said that Iran and Pakistan are the two Muslim countries which have historic brotherly and geographical relations with common faith.
He said that the two countries have huge trade and investment potential as well as capacity to launch joint ventures in the areas of common interest.
The ICCI President said that the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline is an important step forward and its successful operation would inspire the leadership of South Asia to implement another propose project, the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline, subsequently, benefiting the entire region of South Asia.
© IRNA 2013
