ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran agreed to continue efforts on the finalisation of the agreement on the gas pipeline project despite US opposition, DawnNews reported.

The official agreement is expected to be signed on Thursday at the Developing-Eight Summit being held in Islamabad.

Leaders from D-8 countries gathered in Islamabad to consider plans aimed at finding methods of ensuring “sustainable prosperity for their peoples”.

According to the agreement, Iran would provide Pakistan with funds amounting to Rs 24.25 billion in order to lay a 785-kilometre pipeline from the Pakistan-Iran border to Nawabshah in Sindh province.

Pakistan required the funds in order to lay the pipeline but remained unsuccessful in obtaining funding from any country or international donor agencies due to the international sanctions imposed on Iran. The United States also increased pressure on Pakistan against purchase of gas from Iran.