'UN sanctions will not harm Iran-Pakistan pipeline project'

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi rejected US concerns over the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, saying that UN sanctions on Tehran will not harm the deal and that it is much needed for Pakistan in the wake of the current energy crisis.

The foreign minister was speaking to the media at Multan airport on Sunday. Talking about the strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the US, he said that a future plan would be drafted after the strategic dialogue is completed in July after Hillary Clinton arrives.

Qureshi said that the sanctions imposed on Iran were imposed by the Security Council, and that Pakistan would respect the sanctions. He also mentioned that China-Pakistan nuclear cooperation was not discussed during the meeting with Richard Holbrooke, and that Pakistan was well aware of how to protect its interests.

The foreign ministers statement comes after Holbrooke hinted that Pakistan should be wary of the gas pipeline deal with Iran.

US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke arrived in Islamabad on Saturday. Holbrooke’s visit aims at reviewing developments in strategic dialogue, and to finalise an agenda for US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton’s visit.