ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has kept the option of reviving the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline alive, with progress hinging on the possibility of securing a sanctions waiver from the United States, according to a report familiar with the matter.
Sources indicate that the project, aimed at addressing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages, remains under periodic review at policy level despite years of delays caused by international sanctions on Iran. Officials believe the pipeline could provide a stable and cost-effective gas supply if geopolitical conditions allow its implementation.
The matter was discussed during recent internal consultations in Islamabad, where energy planners reviewed alternative supply options alongside regional connectivity projects. While no formal decision has been announced, policymakers have not ruled out moving forward should diplomatic space emerge.
Pakistan has previously stated that it must balance its international obligations with domestic energy needs. Any revival of the pipeline would depend on legal cover in the form of a sanctions waiver, ensuring compliance with global financial and trade regulations.
Energy experts say the pipeline remains strategically relevant amid rising LNG costs and supply volatility. However, officials stress that Pakistan will proceed cautiously and only within the bounds of international law.
