Azerbaijan, Baku, Jun.14/ Trend F.Karimov/
The Iranian Oil Ministry has warned the Energy Ministry of Pakistan over delays in the construction of the Pakistan section of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, saying that Iran may fine Pakistan in this regard, the Mehr News Agency reported.
The Iranian Oil Ministry has said that the construction of the pipeline should be completed by March 2014.
According to sources, Iranian Deputy Minister of Petroleum in International and Commercial Affairs Ahmad Khaledi, in a letter on May 27 reminded the Pakistan government that after a government-to-government cooperation agreement between the two countries, they were supposed to select companies to commence work on the gas pipeline immediately.
"Iran has already done this, but it is still waiting for any action from the Pakistani side. Since time is too short, your prompt instruction in this regard is highly appreciated," the Iranian minister said.
Sources say a Pakistan team was also scheduled to visit Iran on June 3 to finalise the award of the contract to Iranian firm Tadbir Energy that will lay Pakistan's part of the pipeline, but it put off the trip because of transition of power to a new government after the general elections.
On February 20, the construction of the Pakistan section of the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline was launched in the presence of oil ministers of the two countries.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his trip to Pakistan on November 22 emphasised the need to complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline according to schedule.
The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline projected to cost $1.2-1.5 billion, is aimed at exportinf a daily amount of 21.5 million cubic meters of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan.
Iran has already constructed more than 900 kilometres of the pipeline on its soil.
Iran has proposed a $250 million dollar loan to Pakistan to help finance the project. It has also pledged to secure the required $500 million to complete the Pakistani section of the project and the rest will be provided by the Pakistan government.
It has been planned that Iranian and Pakistani companies form a joint venture to finance the project.
According to the project proposal, the pipeline will begin from Iran's Assalouyeh Energy Zone in the south and stretch over 1100 km through Iran. In Pakistan it will pass through Baluchistan and Sindh.