TEHRAN (FNA)- The US spy agencies have been tapping the phone calls between the Iranian and Pakistani officials on the multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline project which can settle the energy crisis in the South Asian country, a Pakistani newspaper disclosed on Tuesday.The US is not ready to show the smallest flexibility in its efforts to thwart the Pakistani governments efforts (to launch the gas pipeline) and has used different methods, including exerting intense pressure, repeating concern, threatening to impose sanctions and even wiretapping the phone talks of the Iranian and Pakistani officials to abort the project, Ahmad Jamal Nezami wrote in Pakistans Urdu-language Navay-e Vaqt on Tuesday.
Stressing that all phone conversations between the Iranian and Pakistani officials are recorded by the US spy agencies, Nezami wrote that eavesdropping on these phone talks started when despite Washingtons pressures, the Pakistani government assured Iran of its willingness to continue implementation of the project.
He added that Irans proposal to mediate between Pakistan and India to remove the barriers standing in the way of the extension of the gas pipeline to India has been another factor inciting the Americans to tap the phone talks between the two countries officials.
The US spies have recorded all the above-mentioned conversations and Washington has acted on their basis to exert pressure and impose its policies on Pakistan, Nezami wrote.
Iran has already completed the pipeline on its territory. But, the lack of political will in Islamabad has caused little progress on the Pakistani side.
Pakistan is facing serious gas shortage this winter even there are report for limited gas supply to domestic consumers during the season and complete closure of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sector.
After Iran saw the slow action on the project by Islamabad, it warned that it may discard the project totally.
Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh on Wednesday hinted the likely annulment of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project due to Islamabad's slow move on the deal.
Then, Pakistani industrialists and businessmen urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to save the deal with Iran.
Daily Time reported from Lahore that Pakistani industrialists and the businessmen have expressed concern about the recent statement of the Iranian Oil Minister, which had created doubts about the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline deal, and have urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to take immediate steps to save the deal.
"Nawaz Sharif should take timely measures to save this important deal and the private sector may be taken onboard on Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project as the recent statement of the Iranian Oil Minister has put this vital project in doubt," said Pakistan Industrial and Trader Associations Front (PIAF) in a statement issued on Friday.Analysts have linked Zanganeh's statement to the recent visit of Nawaz Sharif to United Stated and his meeting with President Obama. The US administration is continuously pressing Pakistan to do away with this deal.
This industrialists, CNG sector and domestic stakeholders are really worried about likely collapse of this deal due to US pressure and financial constraints, the Daily Time said.The PITAF said nation has reposed trust in Nawaz Sharif by giving him heavy mandate in the national general election therefore, he should give preference to the national interests at every cost and take all decisions while keeping in view the ground realities.
PIAF Chairman Malik Tahir Javed addressing the members of associations executive committee including Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Sohail Lashari and others said private sector of Pakistan wanted to play its role for progress and prosperity of the country but for the purpose, government has to take it on board and involve policy-making process.
He said instead of depending on foreign aid or loans, we have to accelerate economic activities, enhance industrial production, find new destinations for Pakistani merchandise as heavy debts have already hollowed the foundations of the country.
While showing concern on reports of gas suspension to the industry for three months, the PIAF chairman said in the present scenario, the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project was a ray of hope but the statements of the Iranian Minister has put this project in uncertainty.
Nawaz Sharif should take this matter seriously and immediately initiate talks with his Iranian counterpart to keep Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project alive.
By Fars News Agency
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