Iran-Pak gas project 'priority' for new Pak government: Minister

The Federal minister for Planning and Development in Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal has said that Iran-Pakistan's gas project is vital and cannot be set aside especially in the present crucial time.

The minister asserted that Pakistan needs to complete the work at the gas pipeline and acquire energy from 'wherever it comes, whether from Iran or the Arabian Sea', Dawn.com reports.

Iqbal insisted that energy is the country's first, second and third top priority as electricity is no longer a mere commodity now; it is a necessity and lifeline.

However, fears remain in certain forces whether or not the gas project will be completed especially because of the ruling party PML-N's well-established relations with the Saudis.

Meanwhile, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also agreed with Iqbal and said that the power sector is the top most priority for both domestic and commercial users as long as gas supply is concerned.