Pakistan Senate discusses Iran gas pipeline and health card disputes

During a Senate session in Pakistan, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik addressed the delays regarding the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project. Malik stated that international sanctions on Pakistan have prevented practical progress on the project, despite Iran having completed its portion of the pipeline up to the Pars region.

Malik noted that both nations are working toward a solution that serves Pakistan's interests in a friendly environment. He mentioned that Iran has sought arbitration in Paris regarding the matter. To manage the project, the Prime Minister has formed a steering committee including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, the Attorney General, and Malik himself. The committee is also tasked with addressing pending legal issues related to the pipeline.

Separately, the Senate witnessed heated exchanges between members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Muslim League (Nawaz) over the health card program. PTI Senator Zeeshan Khanzada claimed the program was a PTI initiative providing free treatment up to 1.5 million rupees, while PML-N senators disputed this, attributing the program to Nawaz Sharif and raising questions regarding previous administration's management of the health sector.