ISLAMABAD: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister for Oil and Petroleum said on Sunday that gas pipeline between Pakistan and Iran will be completed by 2018.

Speaking at an event in Islamabad, Khaqan said the pipeline project had been stuck for years because of sanctions on Iran.

The minister also claimed that Pakistan was not able to build the pipeline on its soil due to lack of funding.

“Iran has already built 900 km length of the pipeline on its territory while Pakistan still has to start work on the pipeline that would traverse its territory,” said the minister.

About 1500 million cubic feet gas would be imported from Iran during three years; 200 million cubic feet in the first year, 500 million cubic feet in the second year and 750 million cubic feet gas in the third year.

Iran and Pakistan have discussed the project on many occasions since sanctions on Iran were lifted earlier this year.