Iran annoyed over Pak's delay in finalising electricity import deal

Islamabad, Mar.23 (ANI): Iran has expressed serious discontent over the delay on the part of Pakistan in finalising the deal regarding importing electricity from it.

Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan Masha'allah Shakeri said Tehran had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Islamabad in 2008 regarding providing 1,135MW of electricity, but even after 15 months no final agreement had been reached.

Shakeri said he has met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and several top Pakistani officials in the past year and half but there has been no response from Islamabad.

"I'm perplexed. I can't understand what's wrong with the Iranian offer. Time is of the essence. Should Iran wait forever. What was the need to sign the MoU," The Dawn quoted Shakeri, as saying.

He said Iran is ready to help Pakistan overcome the numerous hurdles it is currently facing, and could also offer financial support in future.

"Honestly we would like to go with Pakistan. Our objective is to address Pakistan's immediate electricity needs. We are ready to build infrastructure. Our cooperation can even include financial assistance," Shakeri said.

Iran, which is the world's 19th largest electricity producer, is eyeing becoming a regional power hub, and says that several major countries such as Russia, India, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, Syria and Oman have shown interest in buying electricity from it. (ANI)