Tearing up Iran deal: Pakistan counts the cost of Trump move

Washington’s pullout of treaty likely to delay gas pipeline

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan joined other countries on Wednesday to question US President Donald Trump’s controversial move to pull out from the Iranian nuclear deal.

“Pakistan believes that International treaties and agreements concluded through painstaking negotiations are sacrosanct,” said a statement issued here by the foreign office.

The statement suggests that Pakistan was upset with the Trump administration’s unilateral move.

“Arbitrarily rescinding such agreements will undermine confidence in the value of dialogue and diplomacy in the conduct of international relations and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” it added.

The statement further read Pakistan believes that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) represents a very good example of a negotiated settlement of complex issues, through dialogue and diplomacy.

“We had welcomed the JCPOA when it was concluded and hope that all parties will find a way for its continuation, especially when the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly verified Iran’s compliance.”



The foreign office, however, was hopeful that the deal would not be scrapped altogether.

“We have noted the willingness of the parties to the Agreement to work together on upholding their respective commitments as stipulated in the JCPOA, despite US decision to withdraw from it,” the statement further said.

The US decision has implications for Pakistan as renewed American sanctions can negatively affect its bilateral engagements with Iran. Relations between Islamabad and Tehran have seen an upward trend in recent months with both neighbours willing to explore options to deepen their trade and commercial ties.

Pakistan was hoping that lifting the sanctions on Iran would help it complete the crucial gas pipeline project. But with renewed tensions between Tehran and Washington, the multibillion dollar project will certainly face further delay.