The deal comes despite United States’ constant interference in regional countries affairs hoping to curb Southeast Asia’s economic development.

 

Tehran, March 17, 2010 (Hamsayeh.Net) - Iran and Pakistan have finally signed a major gas deal in which Iran’s vast natural gas reserves will be pumped through a pipeline to energy starved Pakistan.

 

Pakistani officials announced the signing of the deal in Turkey on Tuesday as a major breakthrough for Pakistan to avert a growing energy crisis in a country of more 170 million people.  Pakistan’s Petroleum and natural Resources Minister Naveed Qamar labelled the contract as an ‘historic achievement and a milestone toward meeting energy needs of the country.’

 

The deal comes despite United States’ constant interference in regional countries affairs hoping to curb Southeast Asia’s economic development since trilateral negotiations on the pipeline started in 1990.  Under pressure from Washington New Delhi has so far refused to join the pipeline.

 

The pipeline known as the ‘Peace Pipeline’ will carry 750 million cubic feet of natural gas from Iran's vast resources to Pakistan by mid-2015. Iran holds world’s second largest gas reserves after Russia.