IRNA - Former ambassador of Pakistan to Iran says that the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project should be on top of the agenda during upcoming visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif to Islamabad.


In an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Saturday, Shamshad Ahmad Khan said that the IP is the most viable and feasible energy project for Pakistan and needs to be completed at the earliest.

He added that Pakistan is in dire need of energy and completion of the gas pipeline project could help the country to overcome its energy needs.

�External forces are trying to influence the project but Pakistan should complete the pipeline for its own interests,� he viewed.

The former ambassador added that the IP project was initiated during his tenure as Pakistani envoy in Iran and must be completed as soon as possible. He was also of the view that India should also join the project which would help in the economic uplift of whole region.

Many connectivity projects are going on in the region and Iran and Afghanistan can also join China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) so the countries of the region must take full advantage of these projects, he said.

The former foreign secretary termed the upcoming visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif to Pakistan as very important adding that the region in which both countries are located is facing difficult situation and regular interaction between the countries would help dealing with these problems in a better way.

�We need to reinforce strategic affinity among regional states,� Ahmad Khan stressed.

He went on to say that Iran and Pakistan are two very important countries of the region and their close cooperation is need of hour. �Conspiracies are going on against Muslims which can be faced only through unity among the Muslim world.�

The former ambassador added that economic ties between Iran and Pakistan should be enhanced further.

The diplomat said that situation of Afghanistan would also be a major topic during the visit of Iranian foreign minister to Pakistan. �We have stakes in Afghanistan so we should act jointly on the issue and should not permit foreign forces to exploit the situation inside Afghanistan,� he said.