THE World Bank has described the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline as a “win-win” deal, and is understood to have expressed readiness to fund the $7-billion project. The bank’s vice president Praful Patel is reported to have said that the Bank has not been approached by Pakistan to this effect formally or informally, but the it was ready to fund it if approached.
"The IPI gas pipeline project is a win-win project for Pakistan and India, besides being good and quite feasible in catering for the energy needs of Pakistan and India," he said. The Bank would give a serious consideration to finance it if approached, he said.
Although the US government has expressed strong objections over the project, Mr Patel said that if the IPI project materialized, Pakistan would also get the transit fee annually from India, which would play a pivotal role in strengthening its economy. He said the Bank also supports the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline project.
"If Pakistan asked for funding for any of the pipelines, the World Bank would seriously consider extending the funding."
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