Pakistan on Friday rejected the impression that it had compromised its commitment to pursue the multi-billion Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project to meet the country''s growing energy needs in return for recently released $280 million by Washington for power sector development.
Foreign Office spokesperson Moazzam Ahamd Khan during the weekly press briefing dismissed the assertion that the US funding for the power sector development was somehow connected with Islamabad''s commitment not to pursue IP gas pipeline project. "Let me tell you categorically that there is no linkage whatsoever ... Yes you are right that $280 million have been released under the Kerry-Lugar Bill for the upgradation of Mangla Dam and Kurram Tangi Dam. But there is no linkage between the two," he told a questioner.
In response to another question, he said that Pakistan was engaged with the US on several proposals to strengthen relationship between the two countries and termed the visit of ISI chief Lieutenant General (Retd) Zaheerul Islam productive. "There are certain proposals under consideration regarding the way forward (in mutual relationship), but I don''t have anything specific to share with you at the moment," he said.
About the situation in Syria, he expressed Pakistan''s deep concerns about the deteriorating situation in that country. "We are obviously concerned over the deteriorating situation in Syria and want a peaceful resolution of the issue based on the principles of non-intervention, non-interference, and of course non use of force," he said, adding that Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar had gone to Tehran to attend the Consultative Ministerial Conference on Syria.
He said Pakistan had expressed its concern over the plight of Muslims in Myanmar. "We are certainly not quiet about the issue. We are deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar," he said, adding that President Asif Ali Zardari had sent a letter to his Myanmar counterpart, expressing Pakistan''s concern over the issue.
About the visit of the Chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council, Salahuddin Rabbani, he rejected the impression that the reported tension between the two countries was a hindrance in the visit. He said Pakistan and Afghan governments were firming up dates for his visit that "are mutually convenient". He said Pakistan attached importance to the visit and that was why Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf had extended the invitation during his recent visit to Kabul.
About the Afghan officials direct access to Taliban leader Mulla Biradar who is currently in Pakistan''s custody, the spokesman said that the issue of prisoners was under discussion, but he said he had no specific information in this regard. When his attention was diverted towards the Indian Supreme Court which stated that Pakistan was not sharing information about the nationality of more then 26 prisoners who were suspected to be Pakistanis, the spokesman said that there was an established mechanism under which both countries dealt with the issue. He said that there existed a thorough process of ascertaining or certifying the nationality of the prisoners but he said that he did not know what the situation was at this moment.