The recent visit of Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian to Pakistan has been marked by warmth, symbolic gestures of friendship, and a renewed resolve to strengthen bilateral ties. Multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, and both President Pezeshkian and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed firm commitment to working together for peace, regional stability, and the elimination of terrorism. Yet, while these developments are promising, they also reflect a persistent and troubling omission: the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline — a critical project for Pakistan’s energy security — was neither mentioned in the joint statements nor addressed during the press interaction.
It is no secret that Pakistan is facing a severe energy crisis. Industries are underperforming, domestic consumers are facing load shedding, and the country’s import bill continues to balloon due to reliance on expensive LNG and other energy sources. The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline — also referred to as the “Peace Pipeline” — could be a game changer. Iran has already completed its portion of the pipeline up to the Pakistani border. The responsibility now lies with Pakistan to complete its section.
Despite the strategic and economic value of this project, successive Pakistani governments have failed to take concrete steps towards its implementation. The silence during the Iranian president’s visit is especially glaring. Not only did Pakistani leadership fail to address this pressing matter, but the media also missed an opportunity to raise pertinent questions during the joint press conference. When a project that could directly address Pakistan’s energy shortages is left out of high-level discussions, it raises concerns about priorities and political will.
One major reason for the inaction has been fear of international sanctions, particularly from the United States. However, the global geopolitical climate is changing. Even U.S. President Donald Trump admitted that war had significantly damaged Iranian infrastructure and that Iran, like any other country, would require foreign investment and support to rebuild. More recently, the U.S. has shown a willingness to explore engagement with Iran under new frameworks. This could offer Pakistan a narrow but critical window of opportunity to negotiate a way forward that aligns with its national interests without violating international norms.
The Iran-Pakistan pipeline is not just an energy project; it is a symbol of regional cooperation and strategic autonomy. For Pakistan, completing this pipeline would reduce dependency on volatile global markets and unreliable LNG suppliers. For Iran, it would provide a much-needed export channel and a gesture of goodwill that goes beyond words and ceremonies.
While peace declarations and MoUs are welcome, the people of Pakistan need action — especially in sectors that directly affect their daily lives. Energy is one of them. The government must now demonstrate seriousness by resuming work on the pipeline, engaging in high-level diplomacy to manage geopolitical concerns, and mobilizing domestic and international resources to complete the long-stalled project.
The Iranian side has delivered. It is now Pakistan’s turn to act — before this opportunity slips away once again.
