Pakistan examines draft report on gas pricing

Islamabad, Nov 30 (UNI) Pakistan is presently examining the draft report of International Consultant Gafney Cline for pricing mechanism for the gas to be imported from Iran through the proposed 7.2 billion dollars Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline and carrying its own study to firm up its viewpoint on gas prices.

Islamabad has also denied a report originated from India that Pakistan and India have rejected the gas prices suggested by the Singapore-based international consultant.

The News quoted a spokesman for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources as denying the report published in the Indian media that Islamabad and New Delhi have rejected the gas prices worked out by the international consultant.

He said: "We have received the draft report of the international consultant about the pricing mechanism, and our consultants and experts have started carrying out the study for examining the report and firming up Pakistan's point of view." The report by Gafney Cline is not binding on the three countries to accept, so there is no question to reject it. However, the report would be discussed in the next meeting.

He said right now authorities in Iran, Pakistan and India are examining and reviewing the draft report to firm up their stands on the sensitive issue of prices.

The three countries would hold the crucial meeting at the Joint Working Group level sometime in next month of December in Tehran and would deliberate the prices issue in the light of the draft report of international consultant. The petroleum secretary would head Pakistani experts' delegation.

However, he expressed his inability to share the prices of Iranian gas suggested by the international consultant, arguing that it is highly sensitive issue, and the tripartite talks have reached at a very sensitive stage where no country can afford to divulge the details of the report.

UNI XC BDP KN1551