In a last ditch-attempt to avoid a hefty penalty for delays in the completion of its side of the much-disputed Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline, Pakistan has asked for an extension to the deadline – originally set for December this year.

The threat of US sanctions has been too great to overcome, Pakistan argues, in its efforts to make any significant progress on the line linking Assaluyeh in Iran, to Nawabshah in southern Pakistan. (CONTINUED - 346 WORDS)