A Pakistani advocacy group says a plan to import natural gas
by pipeline from neighbouring Iran would be an economic "death
sentence" for the country because the gas price is too high.

The Pakistani government has struck a deal with Iran to import gas in the hope
of relieving the country’s energy crisis, especially the shortage of
electricity. Gas is used to fire many of Pakistan’s power plants.

But the Islamabad-based Sustainable
Development Policy Institute says in a report released today that the contract
with Iran means the gas sold to Pakistan will likely be several times more
expensive than the domestic gas currently used in the country’s power plants.

The deal comes despite US opposition. Pakistan could face US sanctions for
importing Iranian gas.