Tehran, YJC. Iran’s Oil Minister says too much obstacles may lead to the Iran-Pakistan gas contract being canceled.
Bijan
Namdar Zanganeh says in the past two months Pakistani officials have made
numerous complaints that Iran charges to much for its gas. He also says that
the Pakistani side has been asking for more time before the gas transfer
starts.
He says
that Iran must start to export natural gas to Pakistan next year, and that the Iranian
side of the pipeline is under construction.
He stated
"I believe that the Pakistan gas export contract has no economic justification
without India and China. Therefore there is the possibility even to cancel the
contract if the Pakistani side is going to continue the current situation.”
Asked
if in case of poor adherence to the contract, Pakistan is likely to be penalized,
the Oil Minister said "Pakistan doesn’t even have considerable financial
sources in order to be able to pay the fine.”
Pointing
out that personally he is not optimistic about the contract, he said that
negotiations will be held with Pakistan and Iran will finally act according to the
contract.
He also
mentioned that the base price for oil in Iran’s next year budget is granted at
$100.