The contentious gas pipeline was inaugurated by Zardari?as he pulled the rope to reveal the foundation-laying plaque on the Pak-Iran border for the 1,600 kilometre long pipeline.
A 300-member strong Pakistani delegation led by President Zardari and comprising the countrys foreign minister, petroleum minister and National Assembly speaker and a number of prominent politicians attended the historic ceremony.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Moazzam Ali Khan said several heads of states had also been invited at the inauguration ? an event that will see the two neighbouring states sign a crucial yet controversial mega project aimed at easing Pakistans energy crisis. However, he refused to give any further details.
One official pointed out that the high-powered inauguration clearly indicated that Pakistan would pursue the project at all costs.
Iran has completed 900 km (560 miles) of pipeline on its side of the border and Iranian contractors will also construct the pipeline in Pakistan, Irans national broadcasting network IRIB reported.
Tehran has agreed to lend Islamabad $500 million, or a third of the estimated $1.5 billion cost of the 750 km Pakistani section of the pipeline, Fars news agency reported.
The two sides hope the pipeline will be complete in time to start delivery of 21.5 million cubic metres of gas per day to Pakistan by December 2014..
