Establishment Of Oil Refinery By Iran To Open New Vistas Of Co-op: Editor

Islamabad, Feb 24, IRNA – A Pakistani journalist on Friday said that setting up of an oil refinery by Iran in the Pakistani city of Gwadar would open new vistas of cooperation between the two brotherly countries. Talking to IRNA, Javed Siddiq editor of daily ‘Nawa-i-Waqt’ expressed satisfaction with the progress on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and desired that its early implementation would serve to strengthen and expand the economic and trade relations between Iran and Pakistan. The analyst said that strong cooperation between Iran and Pakistan in energy sector ˈwill bring economic stabilityˈ to Pakistan. He said that Iranˈs decision to establish an oil refinery shows the extent of Iranˈs eagerness in helping its neighboring country. ˈThe refinery would benefit Pakistanˈs Baluchistan province and it is also a very positive development for Pakistan,ˈ said the editor. He said that Pakistan is fully aware of the importance of oil refinery in Gwadar. The senior journalist said that after such long time Pakistan is getting some opportunity to stand up on its own feet. He said that the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline should be completed at the earliest because it is the only solution to address Pakistanˈs energy woes. ˈIt is a very important strategic project,ˈ he noted. Expressing his views, Javed Siddiq said that sanctions cannot stop Pakistan from developing the gas pipeline project. ˈWe will not accept any kind of sanctions on the project,ˈ he added. The analyst went on to say that the IP project is a lifeline project for Pakistan that would bring economic stability to the country. The editor was of the opinion that conspiracies to create differences between Iran and Pakistan have failed. ˈIran is our neighbor and we always want to have strong relations with Iran,ˈ said Javed Siddiq. Senior journalist said that strong relations with Iran are in Pakistanˈs interest. He added that Pakistan will not accept the western pressure aimed at restricting its relations with Iran./end