Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said Pakistan is against the use of force against Iran over its nuclear programme and wants the row to be settled through discussions and dialogue.
"Pakistan will never support use of force against Iran and wants that it (Iran's nuclear issue) is settled through discussion and dialogue," he told a group of Iranian journalists in an interview here at PM House.
Shaukat said that Pakistan "is against proliferation" in any form and "believes that it is the right of every country" to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in line with IAEA guidelines".
Referring to Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project, he said that Pakistan was fully committed to the project to meet its growing energy requirements. "We treat it as a 'peace pipeline' as it will also help our ties with India," he added.
He said that Pakistan was very supportive of the project, as it would build linkages with Iran and India.
About security concerns expressed by India he said that Pakistan has the largest network of pipelines among the developing countries, and expressed confidence that addition of another line would not be a problem.
He, however, added that if India did not join the pipeline, Pakistan would still go ahead with the project, as it has to meet its energy needs owing to a growing economy.
He said that Pakistan was considering four options, including import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar, and added that Pakistan had also offered India to meet its energy shortage through the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline or the Qatar-Pakistan undersea line.
About Pakistan's contacts with Israel, he said that Pakistan was totally committed to the cause of the Palestinian people, and added that they (Palestinians) "have a right" to an independent homeland.
"Pakistan supports their just struggle and will always support them," he said.
He stressed the need of involvement of all stakeholders to bring peace to the Middle East. He, however, added that talking with Israel did not mean its recognition.
He said Pakistan was not considering any trade relations with Israel. "Our engagement does not mean we recognise Israel," he said, and added that it was aimed at seeking a resolution of the Palestinian issue.
He said the two countries were also to set up a Joint Investment Company, while Iran was providing funds for some construction projects in Pakistan. He said the IPI project would further deepen the bonds. The Prime Minister said Pakistan has close and cordial relations with Afghanistan. He said it believes that a strong, stable and peaceful Afghanistan is not only in its own interests but also for Pakistan and the region.
He said Pakistan had deployed additional troops along its borders with Afghanistan during elections and was pleased with the progress it was making towards a democratic form of governance.
"Pakistan fully supports President Karzai and the Bonn process," he said, and added that Pakistan's trade with its neighbour had risen to over $1 billion, while around 40,000 of its skilled manpower was working for reconstruction of the war ravaged country.
The Prime Minister described Iraq as "a complex issue" and said it was better that the people of Iraq decided about their future. "Pakistan fully favours the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the people of Iraq," he added.
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