ISLAMABAD: Reaffirming the government’s commitment to pursue the Iran-Pakistan (IP) Gas Pipeline Project “irrespective of what the United States or any other country says”, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that “Pakistan will not allow any country to use its veto” as far as the country’s economic interest is concerned.
Dar, who is also the deputy prime minister, stated this while speaking at a news conference here upon conclusion of his visit of Banjul, The Gambia from 2-5 May, where he led Pakistan’s delegation to the 15th OIC Summit.
Responding to a question about the resistance from the US and allegedly by Saudi Arabia with regard to the IP gas pipeline project, Dar said that Pakistan is committed to the project and will only watch its economic interest.
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“Pakistan is a sovereign country. Nobody, but only its economic interest can dictate it… We have to watch our own economic interests, irrespective of what the US or any other country says. We will not allow anyone to serve the veto,” he said.
He added that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held “productive and positive” talks with Pakistani leadership during his recent visit to the country. During the presser, Dar also confirmed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman will be visiting Pakistan later this month, saying that the dates for the high-profile visit are being finalised.
“The visit is due (and) I believe we may receive final dates from them (Saudi Arabia) anytime in May,” he added.
He pointed out that the Crown Prince had accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Pakistan during his recent meeting in Makkah.
He added that the Saudi Crown Prince had informed the prime minister that he would undertake the visit after initial meetings between Pakistan and Saudi officials to finalise the groundwork.
The foreign minister said that the interaction between the Prime Minister and the Crown prince was followed by visits of a number of high-level delegations from Saudi Arabia including the one led by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and the ongoing visit by a delegation for B2B talks. He said that the Saudi deputy investment minister and his delegation members appreciated the keenness of Pakistan as well as the preparation for the upcoming Saudi investment in the country.
He said that if the Reko Diq deal and other accords are finalised, more major Saudi companies will come to invest in Pakistan.
To another question, Dar said that he would lead Pakistan’s delegation to Pakistan-China Strategic Dialogue to be held in Beijing from May 13 to 15. He said that he is in contact with the Chinese foreign minister about the China visit.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s participation in recent international engagements, he outlined Pakistan’s active role in addressing key issues at forums like the World Economic Forum and the OIC Summit.
He said that Pakistan vociferously raised its voice against hostilities in Gaza, Indian atrocities in Kashmir, and the Islamophobia at OIC summit in The Gambia.
He said that Pakistan’s viewpoint with regard to ongoing Israeli brutal and indiscriminate use of force against Palestinians, calls for an immediate ceasefire and opening of a humanitarian corridor, besides two-state solution with June 1967 pre-borders was overwhelmingly supported by all the members.
He said the Secretary General OIC has appointed a special envoy on Islamophobia to address this issue globally.
He further stated that the OIC reaffirmed the continued political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people and called upon the United Nations Security Council to take effective measures to implement its resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination through UN-supervised plebiscite.
To another query about a recent meeting between US Ambassador Donald Blome with the PTI leaders, he said that a note verbale was received from the US ambassador in March who wanted to meet with the leaders of the Parliament and the Foreign Office had no objection over his meetings with the leader of the opposition and other members.
However, the foreign minister clarified that the Foreign Officer neither initiated the process nor arranged it as claimed by PTI leaders.
He also brushed aside a set of claims by former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi about his role in the import of wheat as head of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet.
Dar stated that he did not approve any summary in this regard till August 9, 2023, when their previous government completed its tenure. He also stated that the prime minister has also already constituted a committee to probe into the matter, adding that he would request the premier to make the findings of the committee public.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024