Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project not a good idea: Munter

HASSAN ABBAS

LAHORE: US ambassador Cameron Munter on Friday said Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project is not a good idea, however, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan- Pakistan-India pipeline project via Afghanistan is an appropriate option.

He was addressing the students of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), here on Friday.

"We support a second silk route linking Central Asian states with the subcontinent, he said, adding that Pakistan should focus on regional partnership based on bilateral ties, he said.

"We support tripartite negotiations between Afghanistan, US and Pakistan and we will look forward in the ministerial level talks to be held in Bonn," Munter said.

Munter said that the US gave $ 10 million to LUMS in 1987 and intend to provide $ 15 million to LUMS in the next five years for the development of departments and infrastructure in the university.

US ambassador Cameron Munter said the US wanted a strong Pakistan and stressed the role of both the countries in ensuring a stable, democratic and prosperous region.

"Pakistan's success is America's success," he said, adding that the students of Pakistan would have to take the leadership to make their country stable, democratic and prosperous.

Later talking to the media, Munter said he met PTI chairman Imran Khan and ISI Chief General Pasha several times but in separate meetings. He also said that he had never had joint meetings of Pakistani military and political leadership. He said the US had taken the memo issue seriously and resignation of Hussain Haqqani and was ready to extend assistance in this regard.

He said that Pakistan enjoyed excellent relations with the US and China but Pakistan should have good relations with other countries of the region as well.

Munter admitted that in the past the US had committed mistake and took hasty decision regarding changing the Afghan policy due to which they had to face problems. He said that Pakistan and the US were fighting a war against those who were attacking shrines, soldiers and innocent people.