October 23, 2003	Thursday	Sha’aban 26, 1424

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TEHRAN, Oct 22: Iran has offered Pakistan to study feasibility of laying a Pakistan-Iran gasline, since India is still unwilling to be part of the project.

Minister for Petroleum Chaudhry Noraiz Shakoor told APP on Wednesday after a meeting with the Iranian Petroleum Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh that Iran had asked Pakistan that the gas line may be laid between the two countries.

He said Pakistan would study the proposal and see whether it was viable for Pakistan. Pakistan currently produces around 3.4 billion cubic feet of gas per day and has estimated gas reserves of around 42 trillion cubic feet.

The petroleum experts believe that though Pakistan is able to meet its requirements from its own sources, India direly needs the gas for its industrial and domestic use.

Mr Shakoor said the two countries would sign an agreement next month to have greater cooperation in the field of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

He said hydrocarbon development institute of Pakistan would assist and provide technical expertise to the Iranian Oil Ministry on the building of a network of CNG stations in Iran.

Pakistan, he said, would also offer cooperation to Iranian authorities for promotion of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) industry in Iran. He said recently a 10-member delegation of Iranian officials visited Pakistan to explore this area and wanted to gain from Pakistan’s experience.

“Pakistan is one of largest countries using CNG as substitute fuel and Iran can benefit from our experience,” he added.

He said the two sides discussed ways and means to fully explore the existing potential and opportunities for the benefit of the two countries.

The two countries, he added, could enhance cooperation in various ongoing development activities in the oil and gas sector of Pakistan including onshore and offshore exploration, regional pipeline projects and updating of refineries.

Mr Shakoor said the two sides also discussed the issue of smuggling of petroleum products and agreed for stringent measures at the borders to prevent this menace.

He said the smuggling is causing huge losses running into billions annually to Pakistan national exchequer.—APP