said on Thursday that the projects with Iran are in the national interest of Pakistan and will be completed irrespective of any external pressures.
Speaking at a briefing in Islamabad, Khar said that it was decided during the trilateral summit in Islamabad between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran that all the three neighbours will engage in a process of developing a roadmap of cooperation and collaboration to define the way forward in the domains of energy, connectivity and trade.
She said that there were ample win-win opportunities among the three countries.
“The projects which were decided with Iran include the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, transmission of electricity and upgrading the connectivity and trade between the two countries.”
Earlier, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had said that America has made it clear to Pakistan that if it goes ahead with the proposed Iran-Pakistan pipeline, it could face consequences as underlined in the Iran Sanctions Act.
Clinton had said that they supported the alternative of a pipeline via Turkmenistan.
Aim of Pakistan to work regional geo-economics in its advantage
Khar said that yesterday’s cabinet unanimous decision to move towards trade liberalisation with India illustrates the priority Pakistan attaches to its economic development.
She said, “The aim of Pakistan is to work the geo-economics of this region in our advantage rather than our disadvantage because Pakistan has always been a supporter of regional connectivity and enhancement.”
The foreign minister said that Pakistan continues to seek a peaceful resolution of all disputes with India and will continue to insist on a meaningful dialogue process.
‘Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran first ones to suffer at the hands of instability’
Khar said that the trilateral summit will help bring stability and peace to the region.
She said that Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan were the first ones to suffer from instability or the lack of peace in the region. The talks during the trilateral summit were, “constructive, cordial and forward looking.”
‘Pakistan wants to pursue peace track which is in the interest of Afghans’
The foreign minister said that during her bilateral trip to Kabul, Pakistan made serious efforts to reach out to all the Afghan nationals and clarified that Pakistan wants to pursue a peace track which is in the interest of the Afghans.
“I had a meeting with each of the opposition leaders,” said Khar.
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