Iran Cannot Be Isolated: Pakistan's Ex-Minister

Islamabad, Jan 21, IRNA -- Former Pakistani interior minister said here Friday that world powers would not succeed in isolating Iran over its peaceful nuclear program. Talking to IRNA, head of Pakistan's Peoples Party-Sherpao group and Member of Parliament, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said that sanctions have failed against Iran and the country is progressing in all sectors. 'I strongly condemn sanctions against Iran,' said the legislator. Expressing his views, the politician said that the US is trying to weaken Islamic world by targeting strong Islamic countries. The Former minister said that discriminatory American policies have inflamed anti-American sentiments in the whole Islamic world. Sherpao said that Iran is a powerful country in region and has the capacity to defend itself against any military adventure by the west. Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao added that it is high time that all Islamic countries should support Iranian stance over its peaceful nuclear program. 'We should unite to counter western sachems to isolate Muslim Ummah,' advised the political leader. The lawmaker added that Iran is the only Muslim country in the world which is not accepting American hegemony. The parliamentarian said that naturally western schemes who are against Iran violate all international laws, but 'We all know that their activities against the Islamic Republic of Iran are not on merits.' US President Barack Obama signed a new law on December 31, 2011, which seeks to impose fresh economic sanctions against Iran's Central Bank and oil sector. The European Union (EU) is also expected to hold its ministerial meeting later this month to discuss the proposed embargo on Iran's oil exports. EU members have so far failed to reach a final agreement. Washington and its Western allies accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear program, while they have never presented any compelling evidence to substantiate their allegations. Iran denies the charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only./end