Zardari Says Iran Gas Line Project To Secure Future Generation

Islamabad, March 4, IRNA – Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the recent foreign policy initiatives namely Pak-Iran gas pipeline is aimed at securing and guaranteeing the prosperity of our future generations. Talking to leading journalists, editors and media persons of print and electronic media during a dinner in Lahore on Sunday, President Zardari said that he held useful talks with the Supreme leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Iran-Pakistan pipeline. ˈBoth the sides agreed upon the need for expediting the completion of all mega projects, including the Pak-Iran Gas pipe line, which he said will not only help the country in mitigating the gas and energy shortages faced by the country, but would go a long way to benefit the coming generations of Pakistan,ˈ he said. The President recalled that the idea to develop the gas pipe line was first worked out in 1994, but was shelved by the next government. He said that he is proud to announce that credit of signing this historic agreement goes to current government which he said believes in serving the people and bring about qualitative change in their quality of life. He said the Pak-Iran gas pipe line project will be formally inaugurated on March 11th in Iranian city of Chahbahar, where dignitaries from regional countries have also been invited. He said that he will take along a group of journalists with him to witness the ceremony. About the reported objections emanating from some quarters, the President said Pakistan was a sovereign country and it was acting in its national interest. He expressed the hope that with the passage of time the critics will appreciate Pakistanˈs growing energy requirement and the need for Pak-Iran gas pipeline. 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. Spokesperson said that the President also referred transfer of Gwadar port operation from Singapore to China as another project of great economic value and said that with this transfer Gwadar port will become hub of trade and commence 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 as to why the development of Gawadar Port was entrusted to China at this point of time, the President said that the Government did not waste any time and went ahead with the project as soon as the Courtˈs stay order was vacated in this case./end