Karachi, Altaf Shakoor, the Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party, has emphasized the urgency for the new government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to prioritize the completion of three crucial energy supply projects: CASA 1000, TAPI, and the Iran-Pakistan (IP) Gas Pipeline. These projects are seen as vital for addressing Pakistan’s energy crisis and breaking free from the constraints of international debt and dependence.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, Shakoor highlighted that the deliberate delays in these energy projects by previous administrations under the influence of international creditors have hindered Pakistan’s progress. He praised the caretaker government’s decision to complete the IP Gas Pipeline within Pakistan and urged the current government to continue this effort. Shakoor also noted the commencement of work on CASA-1000 in Afghanistan as a positive step towards regional energy cooperation.
Shakoor called upon the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief Justice of Pakistan to establish a legal and national security framework to safeguard these projects, asserting that energy security is an integral component of national security. He stressed the importance of a united effort by all patriotic political parties, both within and outside the parliament, to advance the national interest and achieve energy sufficiency.
The completion of these energy projects is projected to provide affordable gas and electricity for both domestic and industrial use, potentially eradicating the issue of load shedding in Pakistan. Shakoor’s remarks were made during a Pasban Steering Committee meeting, where he provided details about each project. CASA-1000 aims to export surplus hydropower from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan, while the TAPI Gas Pipeline and the IP Gas Pipeline are expected to facilitate natural gas transport from Turkmenistan and Iran to Pakistan and beyond.
Shakoor’s call to action includes leveraging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s renowned efficiency to expedite these long-delayed projects, which he believes will play a critical role in elevating Pakistan out of poverty and deprivation by securing its energy needs.