Hina Rabbani says Pak-Iran gas pipeline project to move forward; says Dr Shakil to be prosecuted according to Pak law

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that Pakistan’s sovereignty should be respected and no decision would be made against national interests of the country, adding that Pak-Iran gas pipeline project to move forward as it is in interest of Pakistan and would be completed according to the given time frame irrespective of extraneous consideration..

She said that the parliament would take decision on reopening of NATO supply, adding that the recommendations of the parliamentary committee would be presented in parliament during the next week, adding that Dr Shakil Afridi would be prosecuted according to Pak law.
Addressing a press conference here at the foreign along with the spokesman of the FO Abdul Basit, Hina Rabbani Khar said the gas and other projects with Iran would be pursued and completed irrespective of any foreign pressure.  “The projects are in the national interest of Pakistan” Khar said.

Khar added that Parliament would decide on resuming Nato supplies and the status of future relations with the US, ISAF and Nato would be decided by the parliamentary committee. 

“US official expressed regret over the Nato attack on the Salala checkpost,” she said. 

On trade ties with India, Khar said this did not mean that the Kashmir issue was being pushed into the background. She said trade with India doesn’t mean withdrawal from Kashmir.

She said that agreement with Iran on gas would be signed without any external pressure.

She said the PPP government paved way to European Union market and with the passage of time.

She said that seeking aid is not our aim; rather Pakistan would like to enhance its mercantile ties with other nations of the world. She said that ties with Iran and Afghanistan would be strengthened.

Ties with the US would be restored according to the wishes of the people of Pakistan. Foreign policy issues being given importance, she added.

She also said that Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan were working first time for the regional security. Pakistan wants productive talks with India on all issues, she said, added that, trade ties with India will be beneficial for both India and Pakistan. Purpose of trade ties was to improve economic condition of the country, the minister stated.

She said we have important projects with Iran such as gas pipeline, electricity transmission and upgradation of connectivity to more robust trade partnership between the two countries.  She said all these projects are being worked upon.

Replying to a question, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan will pursue its cooperation with Iran which an immediate neighbour.  She said we have repeatedly said that national interest is priority of Pakistan.  She said all our friends are encouraged to realy understand Pakistan’s energy crisis.  She said Pakistan is going through a serious energy crisis and and it is in the national interest to seek energy from where it comes.

To a question that is Pakistan ready to face sanctions in the face of implementation of gas pipeline project, Hina Rabbani Khar said will be cross the bridge when it comes.  She hoped that we will get better deeper understanding of the world in not being facing any music.  She also hoped that these unilateral sanctions will not find the way to be implemented.

Foreign Minister described her recent meeting with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as constructive.  She said Pakistan attaches importance to its relations with the United States.  She said there is marked recognition to recalibrate our relations and build them based on mutual interest and mutual respect.  She said it is also important that Pakistan’s national interst, sovereignty, territorial integrity are respected.

To another question she said that in the Defence Committee of the Cabinet decision and in the Cabinet decision, the land route for NATO supplies was blocked and that is remain blocked.  There was no mention of the air route.

She said Parliamentary committee on national security had prepared its recommendations on terms of engagements with the United States which will be discussed in the Joint session of the parliament.  He hoped that after Senate elections, the Joint session of the parliament will be held for this purpose.

Hina Rabbani Khar said Pakistan believes that normalisation of relations with India will be mutually beneficial for both the countries. She said Pakistan has always been supportive of regional connectivity and enhancement of collaboration with the region.  However, she made it clear that yesterday’s decision of the Cabinet for normalisation of relations with India in no way any dilution on the core issue of Kashmir.  She said Pakistan wants result oriented dialogue with India to resolve all the issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

She said feasibility, financial close on laying of the pipeline with timeline are being followed. 

Answering a question, Hina Rabbani Khar said Pakistan will be supportive of any process which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-driven.  She said it was the simple desire of each of the Afghan forces that I have met that centre of gravity should be Afghanistan and not any third country. SANA