Pakistan gives green light for commencement of long-awaited Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project

Pakistan approved the 80-kilometer first phase of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project to avoid a potential $20 billion penalty, Anadolu Agency reported.

The project will start from the Iranian border and extend to the port area of Gwadar in Balochistan province, with an estimated cost of around $158 million.

The project, which began in 2013, has faced delays due to US sanctions against Iran. Pakistan is trying to negotiate with Tehran to avoid the penalty, and has also approached the US for a waiver of sanctions. Tehran claims to have completed its side of the pipeline.