Pakistan mulling all options to end energy crisis

Pakistan will avail itself of all available opportunities including Iran-Pakistan gap pipeline project to overcome its energy crisis, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Monday.

While addressing a news conference, the minister in her rare appearance, clarified Pakistan would not depend on anyone’s solution but would also pursue the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, besides the Iran gas.

She observed, “We cannot be selective in this regard and we will complete this project to overcome the energy crisis”.

Replying to a query, Khar elucidated that Pakistan would not support any military intervention in the region, saying this region could not afford any other adventure.

The warning from Pakistan came a day after a veiled threat issued by American President Barrack Obama to Iran. The minister stated that aggression against Iran would have disastrous consequences for the entire region.

A couple of days ago, President Obama assured the powerful pro-Israel lobby in the United States that Washington would use force against Iran, if necessary to stop the country from acquiring nuclear technology.

In reply to a question, Khar commented that the key to restoration of NATO supply route was with parliament that alone would take a decision in this regard. In her view, relations with the United States were of great importance to Pakistan and were in its national interest, but these should be based on mutual respect.

Rejecting the previous reports, the minister said the supplies to allied forces battling in Afghanistan by air had never been suspended. The land-supply-route was only closed in accordance with parliament’s decision.

Khar asserted, “Pakistan wants stability in the region and does not want to create hurdles for forces of 40 countries in Afghanistan.” It was also in our interest”. She continued that the supply-line was suspended in the best interest of the country because it was necessary to react to the attack on the Salala post, which killed 24 Pakistani troops.

The minister stated that Pakistan would follow Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s initiatives aimed at holding of dialogue with Taliban and stability of peace in the region. No pressure would be accepted against national interest, she said, adding that reviewing Pakistan’s involvement in the war on terror will be decided by parliament.

Believing on the policy of public ownership, the executive had handed over to parliament the authority to devise foreign policy.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Mar 6 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.