Pakistan Views Iran Gas Line Priority : Adviser

Islamabad, March 5, IRNA – Pakistan’s top security adviser, Sartaj Aziz told the parliament on Tuesday that Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline is still on the priority list of the government. Speaking on Pakistanˈs foreign policy in the National Assembly, Aziz rejected the impression that Pakistan has backtracked from the project under the US pressure. He said that the project will be pursued further after the relaxation of the US sanctions on Iran. Sartaj Aziz said the government is pursuing a clear‚ balanced and sovereign foreign policy. Winding up debate on a motion regarding the government’s foreign policy in the National Assembly, he said the foreign and defense policies will also be made as parts of the internal security policy. He said that the government is committed not to interfere in matters of other countries. Similarly‚ he said‚ Pakistan will not accept supremacy or hegemony of any other country. Sartaj Aziz also said the second component of the policy is economic development. A shift has been made from aid to trade with other countries. Sartaj Aziz said the third objective of the foreign policy focuses on exploiting full potential of the country’s geographic position. This will help enhance trade and economic relations with regional and other countries and strengthening of national economy. The adviser said that the improvement of internal situation is the foremost policy of the government. ˈProtection of democratic institutions and all segments of the society will definitely improve the image of the country in the comity of nations.ˈ Regarding the concerns over the concessions to India in trade‚ Sartaj Aziz made clear that the country’s interest will be protected at all costs in any trade agreement with the neighboring country. Discussing relations with the United States‚ Sartaj Aziz said that strategic dialogue process has started with that country. He said it has been made clear to the United States that it will have to give priority to the security concerns of Pakistan. On dealing with terrorism issue‚ he said a regional approach is needed to cope with the menace. This is a complex issue which cannot be handled in isolation./end