Shun Iran pipeline,open up to India: US to Pak

Munter’s comments came as Obama Administration,stepped up efforts to internationally isolate Tehran for its alleged nuclear weapons programme.

Munter made the remarks during an interaction with students of the Lahore University of Management Sciences.

The Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project is not a “good idea” while the project to import gas from Turkmenistan is a “better idea”,he said.

“Iran isn’t a reliable partner. It’s your choice but we think it is wise to open up with India,” Munter said replying to a question from a student.

Reacting to the US envoy’s remarks,Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said Pakistan would not accept any “dictation” on the pipeline project with Iran.

Pakistan would make all decisions on the basis of its national interests,she told reporters in Islamabad.

Munter,however,made it clear that the US did not pressurise Pakistan on such issues. Pakistan and Iran have finalised most aspects of the multi-billion dollar bilateral gas pipeline project. The US has for long opposed the project.

Several meetings have also been held in the past two years on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. This project has been held up due to concerns about Turkmenistan’s proven gas reserves and the security situation in Afghanistan.