Kasuri also predicted “winds of opportunities” in Afghanistan after America’s exit in 2014. PHOTO: NNI/ FILE
LAHORE:
Former foreign minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Tuesday said that Pakistan should not fear being slapped with sanctions by the United States when it comes to the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline.
He was responding to a question about the project inaugurated on Monday by President Asif Ali Zardari at a press conference organised by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.
He regretted that the government had taken five years to start the project but added that the delay could have been caused by “some pressures”. He, however, welcomed the fact that the two countries had finally agreed to start work on the project that he said would be good for Pakistan’s economy. Kasuri also predicted “winds of opportunities” in Afghanistan after America’s exit in 2014.
He also praised the PTI for holding party elections. He said it was the first time in Pakistan that a major political party had held party elections across the country. Another political party had held the elections in a few districts in early 1970s, he said.
Kasuri said that like 1970, the people would vote in the 2013 elections for a party on account of its ideology rather than ‘electables’.
Earlier, newly elected presidents and general secretaries from three regions also spoke with reporters and announced their support for Ejaz Chaudhary as the party’s Punjab president. Chaudhary will run for the party’s Punjab chair against Ahsan Rasheed.
The candidate for the provincial office said that by electing around 80,000 office bearers at various levels, the PTI had empowered workers at the grassroots level. “It is the first step towards change,” Chaudhary said.
Others who spoke on the occasion included Dr Yasmin Rashid, who is seeking election as the party’s Punjab general secretary; Mian Noor Khan Bhabha, the newly elected regional president
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2013.
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The only reason this project has went ahead is because i feel that the US is about to attack Iran soon.
The gas in going to cost 4 times more of the current rate.Those people who think that the gas pipeline is going to solve all the problems are highly mistaken.Iran has fixed the rate with the rate of the crude oil which is on the rise so how come this progect is suitable for Pakistan
@asim: Its actually a "Multiple Blow"
3) Cost of Pipeline (approx: Rs. 160 billion) 4) Pricing un-realistic! (70 t0 80% of Crude Oil Price) 5) Already paying adjusted Circular Debt in Utility Bills! Now the cost and markup of loans for this pipeline will be adjusted.
I expect PTI and MQM to come and support the recent important issue of election commision. Every honest Pakistan should come out and see that any candidate who is tax evader and loan defaulter should not get a ticket for national and provincials assemblies. As PPP, PML N and other political parties who have put the Pakistan economy in great distress are not in favour of election commision decision. PTI and MQM are both are from middle class and have honest records. They must come up in favour of election commision just demands.
PPP knows that it will lose elections and PTI knows it cannot win elections, therefore both parties don't care about economic future. Simple math is that one year of economic sanctions is equal to ten years of pipeline benefits.
Good to hear Khurshid Kasuri. A very learned man. I hope PTI comes to power and rids of half the monkeys in politics.
Good to hear Kasuri after a long time.
Double blow by zardari - 1) destruction of economy 2) finally paying way for sanctions
Mr. Kasuri , Will you be at the airport on the 24th to recieve your beloved Musharraf ???