Pakistan Prepares Legal Defense Against Iran in Paris Arbitration Court Over Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Delays

ISLAMABAD, Oct 30 (Alliance News): Pakistan has engaged top international legal firms and a prominent Australian lawyer to defend itself in the case filed by Iran at the Paris Arbitration Court concerning the delayed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.

Iran filed the case, citing Pakistan’s failure to complete its segment of the pipeline and receive the agreed 750 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd).

According to government sources, Pakistan has retained three prestigious law firms — White & Case, Three Crowns, and Wilkie Farr & Gallagher — alongside a leading Australian lawyer, recognized globally in the oil and gas infrastructure sector.

The legal team has been briefed on the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project and Pakistan’s justifications for the delay.

Pakistan submitted its legal representation details to the tribunal’s secretariat in France on October 18, 2024.

The next steps involve appointing an arbitrator for Pakistan, while Iran will nominate its own, and both will jointly appoint a third arbitrator to finalize the tribunal.

The case is anticipated to reach a resolution within a year.

This development follows Iran’s final notice to Pakistan in August 2024, indicating its intent to seek arbitration due to Pakistan’s decade-long delay in completing the project, reportedly affected by proposed U.S. sanctions since 2014.