By NNN-APP,
Beijing : President Pervez Musharraf Monday said the US$ 7 billion Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project could be transformed into an Iran-Pakistan-China (IPC) gas pipeline project to overcome the energy shortage of two countries and meet their growing industrial needs.
When asked by a student at Tsinghua University about the chances of China joining the gas pipeline project, President Musharraf said a feasibility report had already been prepared in this regard, and it makes the project viable.
“(But) why this can’t be IPC (Iran-Pakistan-China) pipeline?” the president said in terms of the possibility of the project.
He said the gas pipeline from Pakistan’s south to the Khunjerab Pass linking the two countries would be raised till it crosses the pass at 15,000 feet, thereafter more than half of the length would be in decent.
He said Pakistan also proposed building the fibre and rail link along Karakorum Highway for better connectivity, which would link Gwadar port with China.
A Chinese firm has already conducted the feasibility study and has submitted its report to President Hu Jintao.
President Musharraf said when completed, the project could claim to be ninth wonder of the world and would go a long way in further boosting trade and commerce ties between the two countries.
He said the feasibility of having a fibre cable connectivity between the two countries for enhanced data, voice and video traffic also came under discussion with his meeting with Chinese leadership.
He mentioned the two countries’ interests on the prospects of building an oil and gas pipeline along the KKH to meet the future energy needs of the two countries.