Tehran Times cited Mr Ali Saeedlou VP for international affairs as saying that Iran is ready to complete and inaugurate the proposed Iran and Pakistan gas pipeline project ahead of the due date.

In a meeting with Pakistani finance officials, Mr Ali Saeedlou said that Iran is prepared to help Pakistan establish the pipeline ahead of the date the two sides have agreed upon

Despite the threat of sanctions from the United States, Pakistan refused to abandon the multibillion dollar Iran gas pipeline project, saying the project between the neighboring states was beyond the scope of US sanctions imposed against Tehran.

Mr Abdul Basit spokesman of Pakistani Foreign Office said that “Pakistan is committed to the Pakistan and Iran gas pipeline and sanctions do not cover this project. There is no change in our stance and we are working to complete the project by 2014. We believe that this project is beyond the scope of the relevant UN resolutions which we are obliged to comply with like all other member states.”

(Sourced from tehrantimes.com)