FRIDAY JANUARY 27: IP gas pipeline does not fall under sanctions: Pakistan presents its categorical stance

ISLAMABAD: Setting aside Washington's pressure, Pakistan on Thursday categorically stated that its stance on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project would remain unchanged and that the sanctions on Tehran did not cover the multi-billion dollar project. Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit, while responding to queries during a weekly press briefing here, said that Islamabad was reviewing the US legislation on Tehran's sanctions.
"There is no change in our stance and we are working to complete the project by 2014," he said in categorical terms, adding that Islamabad believed that the project was beyond the scope of the relevant UN resolutions which Pakistan was obliged to comply with like all other member states.
The statement came a day after the US State Department said that it was making efforts to persuade Pakistan to abandon gas purchases from Iran as part of stepping up pressure on Tehran to stop its controversial nuclear programme. Abdul Basit further said that Pakistan believes that the tension between Iran and the US should be resolved through dialogue. To another question about the procurement of nuclear sub marine by India from Russia, he said that Pakistan wants that the regional countries should avoid arms race and not acquire the weapons and systems having the potential to destabilise the situation.
He said the region was faced with multidimensional issues and acquisition of such weapons will not serve the purpose. "Millions of people in the region are living below the poverty line and focus rather should be made on their economic well-being", he remarked.
Basit said that Pakistan was trying to expand its relationship with Russia in different spheres and this trend has witnessed an upward trajectory. About the status of relations with the United States, the spokesman said Islamabad was not totally disengaged with Washington, adding the two sides' diplomatic channels were fully engaged. He also referred to a recent meeting of the US Ambassador Cameron Munter with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in this regard. Similarly, he added that Pakistan envoy to Washington was also meeting US authorities.
However, he said that the interaction at the political level was on hold for now as we are waiting for the completion of parliamentary process on the new terms of engagement. He said Pakistan would like to engage with the US and discuss all the issues, adding that Islamabad shares the objective to eliminate terrorists. To a question, he said that there was no visit by the Foreign Minister to the US reflected in her diary yet. To another query about the Afghan situation, he said that Pakistan will always support efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan, adding that Islamabad will play its part to achieve the shared objective.
He said Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will soon be visiting Kabul on the invitation of Afghan aide but so far no date has been fixed. The spokesman, however, did not agree with the notion that Khar's visit to Kabul indicates a shift from Islamabad's focus on multilateral side of the Afghan situation to a bilateral side, adding that bilateral and trilateral processes complement each other. "We are not supplanting the one with the other. These bilateral, trilateral or multilateral tracks are not mutually exclusive", he added.
He said that Islamabad has always tried to build strong bilateral relations with Afghanistan. Besides, we have also pursued other trilateral and quadrilateral tracks to enhance co-operation with the important neighbouring country. "Reconciliation in Afghanistan is our top most priority and it is our categorical position that the solution of the problem lies in Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process", he said, adding that it was important that the reconciliation process must move forward so that the Afghan authorities can successfully run their affairs in the post 2014 situation.
Responding another query regarding Afghan refugees living in Pakistan, the spokesman said that Pakistan wants the refugees to go back to their home country with honour and dignity. He said that Pakistan was engaged with the international community UNHCR, calling upon them to play a tangible role for early return of Afghan refugees.
About Pakistani prisoners languishing in Bagram prison, he said that currently about 31 Pakistani prisoners were held up in Bagram jail and Pakistan's mission in Kabul was making all out efforts to ensure their safe return. To another question, the spokesman expressed ignorance about reports indicating that Taliban have shared with the Pakistani side contents of their peace talks with US. He also expressed ignorance over the reports that some of the Foreign Office officials were directly engaged in opening of the Taliban office in Qatar.
About the conference on Afghanistan to be held in Tokyo in July 2012, he said that there was no decision yet about the level of participation from Pakistan, adding that Islamabad was still waiting for details from Tokyo about this conference and we wish the conference to achieve the desired objectives.