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ISLAMABAD, January 14th (UPI) - Washington said it would help Islamabad secure liquefied natural gas supplies if it backs away from the planned IPI pipeline from Iran's giant South Pars field.
Pakistani newspaper The Nation said Richard Holbrooke, Washington's special envoy to the region, made the offer during meetings with Pakistani Energy Minister Naveed Qamar in Islamabad.
Iran is eager to deliver gas from its giant South Pars field through the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline. Tehran and Islamabad agreed on a comprehensive deal for the pipeline in 2009.
Pakistan, faced with a looming energy crisis, is slated for 750 million cubic feet of natural gas per day from the South Pars gas field in Iran as part of a 25-year deal for the proposed 1,724-mile IPI pipeline.
Washington opposes IPI because of the economic benefits it would give to Iran, which is facing punitive economic sanctions for its controversial nuclear program.
New Delhi has oscillated in its position on the IPI pipeline, though it has largely stayed on the sidelines following a civilian nuclear energy deal with the United States.
Qamar said the quickest option for Pakistan was to look for ways to import liquefied natural gas. A government decision on LNG is expected by the end of the month, but it could take years for contracts to develop.
