Islamabad: Pakistan is all set to sign deals for supply of over 3,000 megawatts of electricity to meet energy needs with Iran during the visit of Iranian President Hasan Rouhani to Islamabad, which begins on March 25. “Three power import deals are expected to be inked by the two countries including supply of 100MW, 75MW and 1,000MW,” The Express Tribune quoted a diplomatic source as saying.
Reportedly, Pakistan is already importing 73MW to meet the requirement of Gwadar but payments could not be made since 2011. The Pakistani officials believe that banking channels will be opened paving the way for payment of outstanding bills following removal of sanctions from Iran.
Rouhani’s two-day visit to Islamabad was disclosed during a meeting between Water and Power Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Iranian Ambassador Mehdi Honardoost.
According to reports, during the visit, Pakistan will formally offer Iran during Rouhani’s visit to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) programme, which would bring peace and ensure vital connections among regional states. Officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources said the Iranian president would push Pakistan to implement the IP pipeline project, which had earlier been stalled by the sanctions on Tehran, reports The Express Tribune.
