Pakistani Petroleum Min. To Visit Iran For Pipeline Talks

Islamabad, Sept 16, IRNA – Pakistan Petroleum Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, will soon visit Tehran to discuss Iran gas pipeline project, a senior official has announced. Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, said Pakistan will pursue the project and has informed the US of its energy requirements. “If Pakistan did not implement the project on time, the country will have to pay a penalty of dlrs three million daily,” he told Geo television in an interview. “We can not afford the penalty,” he added. On US drones, he said Pakistan has started preparations to mobilize support for its plan to raise the issue of the US attacks in the United Nations. He said the UN chief had supported Pakistan’s stance on the drone issue during his last month visit to Islamabad. Asked about the release of the top Afghan Taliban leader, Mulla Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Pakistani advisor said that he will be released in few days. He said the Taliban leader will not be handed over to Afghanistan and instead he could be sent either to Saudi Arabia or Turkey at his request. Aziz said Pakistan can seek help from the Afghan Taliban for talks with the Pakistani Taliban who have influence on them./end