President Asif Ali Zardari hopes Gwadar turns into a trade and commerce hub. PHOTO: AFP
At a candid dinner meeting with senior journalists and editors of print and broadcast media at his newly built Bilawal House in Lahore on Saturday night, Zardari said that he will take a contingent of Pakistan's journalists and cameras to the Iranian city of Chahbahar on March 11 to witness the inauguration ceremony of for the pipeline's construction. Asked about the mounting pressure from the US over the project, the President said Pakistan was a sovereign country and it was acting in its national interest.
“If the Pakistani people take ownership of the pipeline, then no one has the power to stop it.”
The President said that Pakistan did not want confrontation with anyone and firmly believes that negotiations and dialogue were the best tool to create greater understandings of the issues.
The President further recalled that the idea to develop the gas pipe line was first worked out in 1994 but was shelved by the next government.
Gwadar to be an economic hub
The President also talked about the transfer of Gwadar port's operation from Singapore to China and hoped that with this transfer the port will become a hub of trade and commerce activities in the region and beyond and will bring progress and prosperity to the people of Balochistan and economic gains for rest of the country.
Replying to a question on why the development of Gawadar Port was entrusted to China at this point in time, Zardari said that the government did not waste any time and went ahead with the project as soon as the Court's stay order on the case was lifted.
All Baloch leaders to contest elections
Talking about the strife ridden province of Balochistan, Zardari said that all disgruntled Baloch leaders will be actively participating in the upcoming general elections that will return democracy to the province.
Asked about alleviating the strife in the province, the President said that he had passed the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package and as the head of state, he cannot do any more than that.
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@Dr.A.K.Tewari: Most welcome bro...
Agaz e haqoq e Balochistan package, not more then lolyPop in this package just 5,000 post on contract basie had given to their workers and agents the poor youth of Balochitan deprived from it? and just creating 5 thousand post is not the solution of Balochistan.
Good initiative . India is immidiate costomer to make this project viable . The MFN India is ready to help you in this regard for mutual benifit .
...I don't like the idea of posting again just because I noticed a typo a little late but this one eating at me. running=rubbing
“If the Pakistani people take ownership of the pipeline, then no one has the power to stop it.” Iran is definitely running off on him. Their people are basically forced into taking ownership of their nuclear program. Also, ownership in these instances is a pretty sounding way to say "take the brunt of the backlash with a smile while the higher ups remain unaffected and retain their benefits." Though I'm talking from a position of convenience not having power issues. I probably wouldn't say much because of that if it wasn't for the fact there are other options. They might be less convenient but like I implied above, it's not the government that's going to be hit hard by the backlash. They'll take what they want from the people while the people are simultaneously won't have it to spare and live just above the line of moderate comfort. Another side effect I've never seen anyone mention is that while it's happening because you need the power, you'll end up not being able to pay for it for your own use.
People of Pakistan are very happy. No doubt this Iranian gas will reduced half the loading shedding in the country.Friends of Democratic Pakistan forum including monster USA bluffed us very smartly for last 10 years.