New Delhi, January 30, IRNA - In a major initiative that could culminate in the clinching of the 2,300 km trans-border Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora is likely to visit Pakistan in February first week to sort out issues relating to the transit fee.

Pakistan's Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon invited Deora to pay a visit for sorting out issues pertaining to the project during their meeting in London late last week, an Indian english daily reported here today quoting highly placed sources.

The Pakistan minister told Deora that Islamabad was ready for talks some time in the first week of February. Both discussed the possibility of settling the transit fee issue and also the price revision clause sought to be introduced in the contract by Iran.

In a related development, Iran has suggested February 12 or 13 as dates for holding talks with India and Pakistan in Tehran to settle the $7 billion deal.

The US is pressuring India not to go ahead with the project.

... Payvand News - 01/30/08 ... --