US warns Pakistan over new gas pipeline deal with Iran

THE US has warned Pakistan that a recently-signed gas pipeline deal with Iran could run foul of new sanctions being finalised in Congress, the US special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan said yesterday.

Richard Holbrooke delivered the message during a visit to Pakistan, his first since Iran signed a contract earlier this month to export 21.5 million cubic metres (760 million cubic feet) of gas per day to Pakistan, beginning in 2014.

“We cautioned the Pakistanis to try to see what the (Congressional) legislation is before deciding how to proceed because it would be a disaster if... we had a situation develop where an agreement was reached which then triggered something under the law,” said Holbrooke.