The U.S. said on it does not support a Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project from going forward and cautioned about the risk of sanctions in doing business with Tehran.
美国在上表示，不支持巴基斯坦-伊朗天然气管道项目继续进行，并警告称，与德黑兰做生意可能会受到制裁。
The Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, known as the Peace Pipeline, is a long-term project between Tehran and Islamabad, and has faced delays and funding challenges for several years. The pipeline would transport natural gas from Iran to Pakistan.
巴基斯坦-伊朗天然气管道被称为和平管道，是德黑兰和伊斯兰堡之间的一个长期项目，多年来一直面临延误和资金挑战。这条管道将把天然气从伊朗输送到巴基斯坦。
Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik said this week that his country was seeking a U.S. sanctions waiver for the gas pipeline from Iran. Just like, it has granted to India for trading with Russia and Iran, despite of American Sanctions. Some Pakistani politicians have also accused Washington of meddling in Pakistan’s domestic politics, charges that Washington denies. But, it is obvious that double standards are exercised between India and Pakistan, which is unfair and condemned.
巴基斯坦石油部长穆萨迪克·马利克本周表示，巴基斯坦正在寻求美国豁免对伊朗天然气管道的制裁。就像它允许印度与俄罗斯和伊朗进行贸易一样，尽管美国实施了制裁。一些巴基斯坦政客还指责华盛顿干预巴基斯坦国内政治，但华盛顿否认了这些指控。但是，很明显，印度和巴基斯坦之间实行双重标准，这是不公平的，也是受到谴责的。
Whereas, Iran has extended the deadline for its gas pipeline project with Pakistan by 180 days to September 2024. Iran has warned its neighbor that it will petition the Paris-based International Arbitration and demand an $18 billion penalty from Pakistan if the case goes to arbitration. It is worth mentioning that, Pakistan’s ailing economy is breathing based on IMF loans, and cannot afford to pay any penalty to Iran.
然而，伊朗将其与巴基斯坦的天然气管道项目的最后期限延长了180天，至2024年9月。伊朗警告其邻国，如果案件进入仲裁程序，伊朗将向总部位于巴黎的国际仲裁申请，并要求巴基斯坦支付180亿美元的罚款。值得一提的是，巴基斯坦疲软的经济正依靠国际货币基金组织的贷款喘息，无力向伊朗支付任何罚款。
Tehran has volunteered to send its legal and technical teams to Pakistan to collaborate on a win-win approach before the 180-day deadline expires. The technical teams will aim to ensure that the project is completed and arbitration is avoided, local media reported. Iran is sincerely assisting Pakistan and overcome any technical issues.
德黑兰自愿向巴基斯坦派遣其法律和技术团队，在180天的最后期限到期前以双赢的方式进行合作。据当地媒体报道，技术团队将致力于确保项目完成并避免仲裁。伊朗真诚地协助巴基斯坦解决任何技术问题。
Iran previously requested Pakistan in its second notice in November-December 2022 to build a segment of the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project on its territory by February-March 2024 or face an $18 billion fine. Before that, Tehran notified Islamabad in February 2019 that it would seek arbitration for failing to install the pipeline within the timeframe specified in the pipeline project. Iran is justified, as it has completed Gas Pipeline within its own territory up to Pakistani border according to the agreement signed between the two countries, since long ago.
伊朗此前在2022年11月至12月的第二次通知中要求巴基斯坦在2024年2月至3月之前在其领土上修建伊朗-巴基斯坦天然气管道项目的一部分，否则将面临180亿美元的罚款。在此之前，德黑兰于2019年2月通知伊斯兰堡，将因未能在管道项目规定的时间内安装管道而寻求仲裁。伊朗是有道理的，因为根据两国很久以前签署的协议，伊朗已经在自己的领土内完成了通往巴基斯坦边境的天然气管道。
Pakistan has maintained its stance that it is unable to work on the project due to US sanctions on Iran, a position to which Tehran has never subscribed, claiming that the US restrictions are unjustified. Pakistan is victim of US sanctions merely.
巴基斯坦坚持其立场，即由于美国对伊朗的制裁，巴基斯坦无法开展该项目，德黑兰从未认同这一立场，并声称美国的限制是不合理的。巴基斯坦仅仅是美国制裁的受害者。
Pakistan, like many developing nations, faces significant challenges in meeting its ever-growing energy demands. With a rapidly expanding population and industrial base, the country’s energy needs continue to outpace its domestic production capacity, leading to frequent shortages and disruptions. Among the various energy sources, natural gas plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s energy mix, serving as a primary fuel for power generation, industrial processes, and domestic use. However, persistent shortfalls in gas supply pose serious challenges to the nation’s economic development and societal well-being.
与许多发展中国家一样，巴基斯坦在满足其日益增长的能源需求方面面临着重大挑战。随着人口和工业基础的迅速扩大，该国的能源需求继续超过其国内生产能力，导致频繁的短缺和中断。在各种能源中，天然气在巴基斯坦的能源结构中发挥着至关重要的作用，是发电、工业过程和家庭使用的主要燃料。然而，天然气供应的持续短缺对国家的经济发展和社会福祉构成了严重挑战。
Gas Requirements and Shortfalls: 天然气需求和不足：
Pakistan’s demand for natural gas has been steadily rising due to population growth, urbanization, and industrial expansion. According to the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), the country’s total gas consumption exceeds 6 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd), outstripping its indigenous gas production of approximately 4 bcfd. This disparity between supply and demand has led to a widening energy deficit, exacerbating the country’s energy crisis.
由于人口增长、城市化和工业扩张，巴基斯坦对天然气的需求一直在稳步增长。根据能源部（石油司）的数据，该国的天然气总消耗量超过60亿立方英尺/日，超过了约40亿立方英尺的本土天然气产量。这种供需差距导致能源赤字不断扩大，加剧了该国的能源危机。
The shortfall in gas supply has several causes, including depletion of existing gas reserves, inadequate exploration and production efforts, infrastructure constraints, and inefficiencies in the gas distribution system. Moreover, factors such as political instability, security concerns, and policy inconsistencies have hindered investment in the gas sector, further exacerbating the supply-demand gap.
天然气供应短缺有几个原因，包括现有天然气储量的枯竭、勘探和生产工作不足、基础设施限制以及天然气分配系统效率低下。此外，政治不稳定、安全问题和政策不一致等因素阻碍了天然气行业的投资，进一步加剧了供需差距。
Meeting Energy Needs: 满足能源需求：
To address its energy needs, Pakistan employs a multi-faceted approach that includes both domestic resource development and importation of energy commodities. The country relies heavily on natural gas, which accounts for over 48% of its primary energy supply. Domestic gas production primarily comes from the country’s two major gas fields: Sui in Balochistan and Qadirpur in Sindh, supplemented by smaller fields scattered across the country.
为了满足其能源需求，巴基斯坦采用了多方面的方法，包括国内资源开发和能源商品进口。该国严重依赖天然气，天然气占其一次能源供应的48%以上。国内天然气生产主要来自该国的两个主要气田：俾路支省的Sui和信德省的Qadirpur，并辅以分散在全国各地的较小气田。
In addition to domestic production, Pakistan imports liquefied natural gas (LNG) to bridge the gap between supply and demand. LNG terminals have been established at Karachi and Port Qasim to facilitate the importation and regasification of LNG, providing a flexible and reliable source of energy. Furthermore, Pakistan is exploring alternative energy sources such as coal, hydroelectricity, and renewable energy to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on imported fuels.
除了国内生产外，巴基斯坦还进口液化天然气，以弥补供需缺口。在卡拉奇和卡西姆港建立了液化天然气接收站，以促进液化天然气的进口和再气化，提供灵活可靠的能源。此外，巴基斯坦正在探索煤炭、水电和可再生能源等替代能源，以使其能源结构多样化，减少对进口燃料的依赖。
Abovementioned options were not fruitful in the past and Pakistan’s Gas shortfall has been affecting national economy adversely. The most convenient and do able option is to import Gas from Iran through Iran-Pakistan Gas pipeline, which is cheapest and logistically more variable. Pakistan is in dire need of cheaper and convenient source of Gas supply, which is Iran.
上述选择在过去并不富有成效，巴基斯坦的天然气短缺一直对国民经济产生不利影响。最方便和可行的选择是通过伊朗-巴基斯坦天然气管道从伊朗进口天然气，这是最便宜的，而且在物流上更具变数。巴基斯坦迫切需要更便宜、更方便的天然气供应来源，即伊朗。
Challenges and Problems: 挑战和问题：
Despite efforts to bolster its gas supply, Pakistan faces numerous challenges in the sector. Among these major are the aging infrastructure, characterized by leaky pipelines, inefficient distribution networks, and inadequate storage facilities. The lack of investment in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance has contributed to losses during transmission and distribution, further exacerbating the gas shortage.
尽管巴基斯坦努力增加天然气供应，但该行业仍面临诸多挑战。其中最主要的是老化的基础设施，其特点是管道泄漏、配电网效率低下和储存设施不足。缺乏对基础设施升级和维护的投资导致了输配过程中的损失，进一步加剧了天然气短缺。
Moreover, issues such as circular debt, non-payment of bills by consumers, and theft of gas pose significant financial challenges to gas companies and discourage investment in the sector. The pricing mechanism for natural gas is also a contentious issue, with subsidies and tariff adjustments subject to political considerations, hindering the development of a sustainable and market-driven gas sector.
此外，循环债务、消费者不支付账单和天然气盗窃等问题给天然气公司带来了重大的财务挑战，并阻碍了对该行业的投资。天然气定价机制也是一个有争议的问题，补贴和关税调整受制于政治考虑，阻碍了可持续和市场驱动的天然气行业的发展。
Cost Implications: 成本影响：
The energy shortfall, particularly in the gas sector, has substantial economic implications for Pakistan. The country incurs significant costs due to power outages, lost productivity, and reliance on expensive alternative fuels such as furnace oil and diesel for power generation. Moreover, the importation of LNG and other energy commodities entails foreign exchange outflows, contributing to the country’s trade deficit and fiscal pressures. The Government of Pakistan, under the pressure from IMF, has increased the Gas prices in domestic market sharply and made it almost impossible for a common citizen to use gas. If the public pressure mounts, the Government may fell into serious troubles.
能源短缺，特别是天然气部门的能源短缺，对巴基斯坦产生了重大的经济影响。由于停电、生产力下降以及对炉油和柴油等昂贵替代燃料的依赖，该国产生了巨大的成本。此外，液化天然气和其他能源商品的进口导致外汇外流，加剧了该国的贸易赤字和财政压力。巴基斯坦政府在国际货币基金组织的压力下，大幅提高了国内市场的天然气价格，使普通公民几乎无法使用天然气。如果公众压力增加，政府可能会陷入严重的麻烦。
Historical Back ground: 历史背景
In the annals of energy diplomacy, the tale of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline stands as a testament to vision, persistence, and the complexities of geopolitics. Its genesis traces back to the mid-20th century when the seed of the idea was planted in the fertile mind of Malik Aftab Ahmed Khan, a Pakistani civil engineer of extraordinary foresight and resolve. Graduating from NED University, Khan’s ground breaking article caught the attention of the Military College of Engineering, Risalpur, Pakistan, setting the stage for what would become a monumental project in the region’s energy landscape.
在能源外交史上，伊朗-巴基斯坦天然气管道的故事证明了远见、毅力和地缘政治的复杂性。它的起源可以追溯到20世纪中期，当时这个想法的种子种在了具有非凡远见和决心的巴基斯坦土木工程师马利克·阿夫塔布·艾哈迈德·汗肥沃的头脑中。Khan毕业于NED大学，他的开创性文章引起了巴基斯坦里萨尔普尔军事工程学院的注意，为该地区能源景观中的一个里程碑式项目奠定了基础。
Fast forward to 1989, when Rajendra K. Pachauri, in collaboration with Ali Shams Ardekani and Sarwar Shar, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, breathed new life into Khan’s vision. Pachauri’s tireless advocacy, echoed by Ardekani’s endorsement at the 2010 International Association of Energy Economics conference, propelled the project forward.
快进到1989年，Rajendra K.Pachauri与Ali Shams Ardekani和伊朗前副外交部长Sarwar Shar合作，为汗的愿景注入了新的活力。帕乔里的不懈倡导，以及阿德卡尼在2010年国际能源经济协会会议上的支持，推动了该项目的发展。
Formal discussions between Iran and Pakistan commenced in 1995, culminating in a preliminary agreement envisioning a pipeline from the South Pars gas field to Karachi, Pakistan. Subsequent proposals sought to extend the pipeline into India, fostering regional cooperation and economic integration.
伊朗和巴基斯坦之间的正式讨论始于1995年，最终达成了一项初步协议，设想从南帕斯气田到巴基斯坦卡拉奇的管道。随后的提案试图将管道延伸到印度，促进区域合作和经济一体化。
Yet, the journey was fraught with challenges. Pricing disputes and security concerns led India to withdraw from the project in 2009, casting a shadow over its future. However, diplomatic overtures and trilateral talks in 2010 rekindled hope for its realization.
然而，这段旅程充满了挑战。价格纠纷和安全问题导致印度于2009年退出该项目，给其未来蒙上了阴影。然而，2010年的外交姿态和三方会谈重新点燃了实现这一目标的希望。
In 2012, amidst much anticipation, the project was slated for commencement, with promises of completion by 2014. The ground-breaking ceremony in Pakistan, attended by dignitaries from both nations, symbolized a significant milestone in the project’s trajectory.
2012年，在万众期待中，该项目计划开工，并承诺在2014年完工。巴基斯坦的奠基仪式由两国政要出席，象征着该项目发展轨迹中的一个重要里程碑。
However, bureaucratic hurdles and external pressures, mainly American sanctions, impeded progress. Delays in the Pakistani section’s construction prompted concerns and raised questions about the project’s viability. International sanctions against Iran further complicated matters, threatening penalties for non-compliance.
然而，官僚主义障碍和外部压力，主要是美国的制裁，阻碍了进展。巴基斯坦段施工的延误引发了人们的担忧，并引发了对该项目可行性的质疑。对伊朗的国际制裁使事态进一步复杂化，威胁要对不遵守制裁的行为进行惩罚。
Despite setbacks, political leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the pipeline’s completion. Offers of financial assistance from friendly nations underscored the project’s strategic importance and regional significance.
尽管遇到了挫折，但政治领导人重申了他们对管道完工的承诺。友好国家提供的财政援助突显了该项目的战略重要性和区域意义。
Controversies surrounding the project underscored its geopolitical ramifications. Pressure from the United States, coupled with offers of alternative packages, tested Pakistan’s resolve. However, steadfast determination prevailed, with assurances that the project aligned with national interests. As the project timeline extended, concerns over cost dynamics and safety measures surfaced. Yet, stakeholders remained undeterred, emphasizing the project’s economic benefits and potential for regional stability.
围绕该项目的争议凸显了其地缘政治影响。来自美国的压力，加上提供替代方案，考验了巴基斯坦的决心。然而，坚定的决心占了上风，并保证该项目符合国家利益。随着项目时间的延长，对成本动态和安全措施的担忧浮出水面。然而，利益相关者仍然没有被吓倒，他们强调了该项目的经济效益和地区稳定的潜力。
Amidst uncertainties, Pakistan’s recent approval of the pipeline’s construction signals a renewed commitment to realizing this long-awaited endeavour. Despite past challenges, the vision of enhanced energy cooperation and economic prosperity continues to inspire efforts towards its fruition. In the tapestry of energy diplomacy, the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline represents more than a conduit for natural resources—it embodies the resilience of collaboration, the triumph of perseverance, and the promise of a brighter, interconnected future for the nations of the region.
在不确定的情况下，巴基斯坦最近批准了这条管道的建设，这标志着巴基斯坦再次致力于实现这一期待已久的努力。尽管过去存在挑战，但加强能源合作和经济繁荣的愿景继续激励着实现这一愿景的努力。在能源外交的织锦中，伊朗-巴基斯坦天然气管道不仅仅代表着自然资源的管道，它体现了合作的韧性、毅力的胜利，以及该地区各国更光明、相互关联的未来的承诺。
Companies such as Gazprom, BHP, Petronas, and Total, among others, have been integral to the project’s development. Their expertise and resources, alongside governmental cooperation, are essential to overcoming the remaining hurdles and ushering in a new era of energy security and cooperation in the region.
俄罗斯天然气工业股份公司、必和必拓、马来西亚国家石油公司和道达尔等公司一直是该项目开发不可或缺的一部分。他们的专业知识和资源，加上政府合作，对于克服剩余障碍和开创该地区能源安全与合作的新时代至关重要。
It is urged that keeping Pakistan’s fragile economy in mind and its needs of Gas, the US may grant waiver. It is not something new, US has been granting such waivers to India already. Or US may compensate the loss caused to Pakistani economy due to sanctions. People of Pakistan has already paid heavy price for friendship with America and reached to a stage, where we cannot pay any further price. The American administration must realize the Pakistani difficulties and understand the importance of this project for the people of Pakistan.
敦促美国考虑到巴基斯坦脆弱的经济及其对天然气的需求，可以给予豁免。这并不是什么新鲜事，美国已经给予印度这样的豁免。或者美国可能会赔偿制裁给巴基斯坦经济造成的损失。巴基斯坦人民已经为与美国的友谊付出了沉重的代价，已经到了我们不能再付出任何代价的地步。美国政府必须认识到巴基斯坦的困难，并理解该项目对巴基斯坦人民的重要性。
( 注意： 本文章用机器翻译的， 很可能有差异。 请参考原版英文的。 谢谢。）
Reference Link:- https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/03/30/iran-pakistan-gas-pipeline-and-implications/