Raisani terms Pak-Iran gas pipeline vital for Balochistan

The Baloch Hal News

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani has welcomed the Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline Accord saying that it occupied a strategic position in speedy economic development of Balochistan.

Commenting on the signing of accord in Tehran, the Chief Minister said the project would go a long way in meeting the energy requirement of Balochistan with special reference to the future development needs of this province.

Before concluding the agreement between Pakistan and Iran, Nawab Raisani said that it was our considered opinion that the gas pipeline should pass Gwadar and other coastal townships of Balochistan.

It is our good luck that the Pakistan Government had conceded our demand that the land route of Balochistan close to the coast should be used. Now it had been finally decided that the Iran gas pipeline will pass through Gwadar and other coastal townships before it enters Sindh, Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani said.

He hoped that all the coastal townships and major cities of Mekran will get the facility of natural gas from the Iran Gas Pipeline Project meeting the energy requirements.

The Chief Minister said that the availability of energy sources from Iran, the local economy and industry will develop attracting massive investment opportunities.

Nawab Raisani recalled that the Government had already declared Gwadar as tax free zone which is a great incentive for industrial development of Balochistan coast. He hoped that the Iran Gas Pipeline Project would change the destiny of whole of Pakistan.

The Chief Minister said that it is a revolutionary step in every respect guaranteeing sustainable economic development.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister had a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali, and discussed the issue of canal water shortage in the tail end of the provincial irrigation system.

He expressed the hope to resolve the dispute between Sindh and Balochistan over the canal water issue saying that he would take up the issue with the Sindh Chief Minister when he meets him.

Nawab Aslam Raisani said that the Province is facing severe shortage of canal water and the PEPCO is resorting to massive load shedding. He said that Balochistan should get its share of canal water according to the 1991 Water Accords.

Later on, he had a meeting with the JUI Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman and exchanged views on the prevailing political situation. Both the leaders expressed their determination to find amicable solutions to the political issues for consolidating the democratic gains. Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mr. Rehmatullah Kakar and Senior Balochistan Minister Maulana Abdul Wasey were also present on the occasion.