No effect on IP gas pipeline project, National Assembly told

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Wednesday said that the sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme will not affect Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, saying Islamabad is committed for early completion of the project in best national interest.
Speaking in National Assembly during question hour, she said there were three kinds of sanction regimes ie UN, US and EU - the export of gas from Iran did not fall under these sanctions. The Foreign Minister said that the project was in the country's best national interest as we are facing severe energy crisis and we would explore all possible options including import of gas from Iran to meet the energy needs.
The US State Department Tuesday expressed concern over Iran-Pak gas project, and said: "We've made it absolutely clear over many months now our concerns about this deal, and we will continue to talk to Pakistan about it. You know, were it to go forward, how it might be impacted - again, this is the kind of conversation that we have to have with Pakistan and that we're starting to have now".
Foreign Minister also informed the House that the government has stopped Nato supply in the aftermath of Salala attack, saying that the step has been taken in accordance with the joint resolution of the Parliament. She accepted that Pakistan got an opportunity to undertake such serious measures following Salala air strikes which killed 24 soldiers and these were not taken following May 02 incident "because it was also a fact that Osama bin Laden was found here".
She said that the Parliament, through a unanimous resolution and an all parties conference had recommended that in case of any threat to Pakistan's sovereignty, Nato supply should be blocked and that was implemented after May 26 incident. About the recommendations of the recently held Pakistan's envoys conference, she said that all the proposals have been presented before the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, which it will present before the parliament for approval.
Khar also told the House that foreign policy of Pakistan was based on the principles of non-interference in internal affairs, respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the norms of international law.
We also seek protection and promotion of our core national interests, she said, adding that in the wake of Nato attacks, when Pakistan's sovereignty came under threat, the Prime Minister directed reassessment of the foreign policy, which was done accordingly.
She said that the recently held envoys' conference reaffirmed that Pakistan's external relations continue to be based on the principles of respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity in accordance with international law as enshrined in the UN Charter. She said that the conference deliberated on 'different aspects' of the foreign policy focusing to reassess the relationship with the United States and Nato. The conference also aimed at charting out new avenues for emerging challenges on the international scene, she added.
Foreign Minister also defended Pakistan's foreign policy, saying the country's relations with regional powers including India, Iran and Afghanistan have improved. Additionally, she said that first ever summit level talks were held with European Union, market access was made possible. "We are close to SCO membership and all everybody is aware of the progress in connection to ASEAN," she added.
To another question about trade points under the dialogue related to grant of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, she said that consultations were being held to increase cross LoC trade points including Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Professional Training and Technical Training Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada on behalf of Minister for Commerce told the House that under WTO agreement, all member countries are to given non discriminatory treatment which is called MFN treatment. At present, two countries namely, Israel and India are not treated on MFN basis, he added.
He further said that Cabinet has authorised Ministry of Commerce to normalise trade relation with India, which will mean non-discriminatory treatment under MFN principle. For this, the time, lines would be submitted before the Cabinet in February, 2012, he added. He said that the MFN status to India would benefit Pakistan as now direct trade would be carried out between Pakistan and India. To another question, he said that Pakistan would respond reciprocally as far as multi-purpose visas for India are concerned.