Gas pipeline project: Pakistan green lights 80-km segment to connect Gwadar to Iran

In a significant development, Pakistan has given the go-ahead for the initiation of work on a crucial 80-kilometer segment linking the Iranian border to Gwadar for the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, where the Federal Cabinet approved Phase-I activities for the project. This decision follows a pivotal gathering of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) on February 23, 2024.

Endorsed by the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE), the project’s recommendations by the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) for the IP Project have set the stage for its implementation.

The project, led by the Inter State Gas Systems (Pvt) Ltd, will be funded through the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC), demonstrating a collaborative effort to advance this monumental undertaking.

The primary aim is to address Pakistan’s growing energy demands by ensuring a consistent gas supply to its populace. The initial phase will focus on the 80km segment from the Pak-Iran border to Gwadar, with an estimated budget of US $158 million financed through the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC).

Envisioning the supply of 750 MMCFD of gas over 25 years from Iran’s South Pars gas field to the Pak-Iran border, the project entails laying a 1931km pipeline network, with 1,150 km within Iran and 781 km within Pakistan’s territory.

This milestone represents more than just a pipeline; it symbolizes progress and is poised to reshape the energy landscape of the region for years to come.