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Pakistan to help China lay pipeline for Saudi oil
ISLAMABAD, March 16 : Pakistan will help China in the construction of the strategic pipeline from Gwadar to its borders enabling it to import oil from Saudi Arabia.
According to official sources Pakistan would assist China either in extending the country's white oil pipeline, or constructing a new one to meet its energy requirement by importing oil from Saudi Arabia.Commenting on President General Pervez Musharraf's offer of 'trade corridor' in his recent trip to China, they said that actually King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia wanted to increase oil exports to China. He (Abdullah), later shared the matter with Musharraf to help Saudi Arabia in extending oil exports to China, Mengal said.
”The oil import from Saudi Arabia, or any of Gulf countries, was not only viable but also the shortest possible option to import oil through Pakistan,” the sources said.
They said that China had expressed willingness to construct oil refinery in Gwadar. Pakistan has a liberal policy of investment in petroleum sector and, to construct oil refinery, only NOC from the ministry was required.
About IPI pipeline without India, they said, "Pakistan is a sovereign state, and the Secretary-level talks mean that Pakistan is serious to execute the project solely."
Elaborating on Qatar pipeline and import of LNG, the official sources said, "We are pursuing all projects, as our economic growth demands more energy."