Iran would not offer 'gas discount' to Pakistan: Minister
Iran’s Oil Minister says gas export agreement has been finalized with Pakistan and that Iran will not offer price discount to any country.In an interview to Mehr News, Rustam Qasemi rejected offering price discount to Pakistan. He commented on statements by Pakistan’s prime minister’s adviser, Asim Hussain, who believed Iranian gas as expensive.
“Currently, agreement to export gas to Pakistan has been finalized,” he added.
The Minister also pointed to the launching of pipeline construction from Iran’s soil to Pakistani border, and said that construction would resume in Pakistani soil with direct investments of Iranian side.
He rejected any offering of discounts in gas prices to Pakistan and said that Pakistan had not placed an official request for gas price discount.
Qasemi asserted that by the end of 2014, natural gas would be exported to Pakistan. “Iran is committed to implementing all its obligations,” he emphasized.
In answer to Mehr News question about the Saudi dropping the race for the post of OPEC secretary general, he said that Iran would remain in the race for the post competing with Iraq.
Although Iran has expressed that it is ready to fully finance the pipeline construction in Pakistani soil, Islam Abad government has been in discord with Iran again over gas prices, and demanded discount. Asim Hussain, advisor to Pakistani Prime Minister pointed to bargains with Iran over price. “We asked Iran to lower the gas price, and export gas in TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline) prices,” he added.
Source:
mehrnews.com
