Pakistan rejects foreign pressure on Iran gas pipeline project

Monday, 05 Mar 2012

Ms Hina Rabbani Khar foreign minister of Pakistan rejecting any foreign pressure against Iran and Pakistan gas pipeline project said that it was in Pakistan's national interest to acquire energy from wherever it was available.

Mr Khar said that "We cannot afford to be selective. No decision in this regard would be taken against the national interests. The country was facing a real energy crisis and stressed the need to address its energy needs at the earliest. The relations with the United States, NATO and ISAF would be promoted on the basis of mutual self respect and in line with the policy devised by Pakistan's parliament.”

She said that the parliamentary committee on foreign policy would finalize the recommendations by the second week of this month. We want to add the element of credibility with the United States.

Ms Khar said that the refusal was till the time when a clear cut policy viz a viz the United States was finalized. Pakistan wanted to maintain friendly relations with all its neighbors including India and added that there was enthusiasm from both the sides to improve ties.

She said that the governments of the two neighboring countries had been working together to build a level of trust for the mutual benefit of two nations. Pakistan supported an Afghan led and Afghan owned solution to the problem.

Source - Business Recorder