“Islamabad has two more options: Gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan [or] import of gas from Qatar. I strongly advocate for [the] Iran gas-line option [because] Iran has expressed its readiness to supply gas to Pakistan at the border and even inside the country at competitive rates,” said Rashid.

Reports in the Pakistani media concur with Rashid’s assessment. Industry experts and sources say Qatari gas would be too expensive while lack of gas reserves and geographical and security constraints make the Turkmenistan option a dicey proposition.