US Backs TAPI But Not Iran-Pakistan Pipeline

US ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson has said his country supports Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project (TAPI), but not Iran-Pakistan project.

“As far as Pakistan, Iran gas project is concerned, US does not lend support to it and rather we support TAPI. We are alive to the challenges facing Pakistan in energy sector and we are assisting Pakistan in this respect. Pakistan can exercise alternate energy option to overcome energy crisis and US will extend full support to it,” Olson said while talking to media persons Tuesday, Pakistani daily The News reported.

However, President Asif Ali Zardari has announced Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project will be inaugurated on March 11.