Sanctions on Iran don’t affect gas pipeline: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said that the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project did not come under the sanctions imposed on Iran because of its nuclear issue with the international community. “Pakistan is committed to the Pak-Iran gas pipeline and sanctions do not cover this project,” Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said in his weekly press briefing at the Foreign Office on Thursday. “We are working to complete the project by 2014,” he said, adding that Pakistan believes that this project is beyond the scope of the UN resolutions. He said Pakistan is studying the US legislation about sanctions on Iran but it is clear that the Pak-Iran gas pipeline is not covered by them. Commenting on the Pak-US relations, Abdul Basit said that both the countries were engaged through diplomatic channels. “The US ambassador to Pakistan is very active and met the foreign minister, whereas the Pakistani ambassador in Washington has been meeting senior officials,” he said. “However, interaction at the political level would have to wait until the completion of our parliamentary process underway to rewrite terms of engagement with the US/NATO,” the spokesman added. He said Pakistan would like to discuss all issues with the United States as Islamabad shared Washington’s objective to eliminate terrorists. Basit said Pakistan has repeatedly said that Iran’s nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through negotiations and dialogue by the international community. Replying to a question about reports of the Iranian president’s visit to Pakistan, the spokesman said, “No bilateral visit between Pakistan and Iran has been finalised yet.” Abdul Basit reiterated the commitment of Pakistan for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, saying that Pakistan always wished peace and stability in Afghanistan. staff report

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