Pak-Iran pipeline in country’s interest

Foreign Office Spokesman Muazzam Khan said Thursday that the Pakistan-Iran pipeline project was in the interest of the country and President Asif Ali Zardari would be travelling to Iran on March 11. During the Foreign Office weekly press briefing, Khan said the heads of several countries would be present at the signing ceremony and hoped that all friendly countries including the US would understand Pakistan’s economic needs. Khan added that the energy crisis in Pakistan was leading to economic disparity. The Foreign Office spokesman also provided details of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf’s upcoming visit to India, stating that he would be travelling to India on March 9 on a private visit. In reply to a question, Khan said Pakistan did not require an NOC from India to construct dams on its rivers under the Sindh Tas agreement.