ISLAMABAD: Pakistan risks imposition of stringent US and UN sanctions if proposed Iran-Pakistan pipeline deal goes through, Wall Street Journal said in a report.
“Washington has made it clear that it will impose economic sanctions on Islamabad if it begins to buy gas from Iran. Besides, the UN mandated sanctions on any trade with the oil-rich country,” the Journal said.
In a written reply to the Journal, the US Embassy in Islamabad reiterated the US position and said: “Our policy on Iran is well known. We have made it clear to all of our interlocutors around the world that it is in their interests to avoid activities that may be prohibited by United Nations sanctions or sanction able under US law.”
Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said on Tuesday that the pipeline would be a “big leap forward” in resolving country’s crippling power crisis.
The WSJ said, “While the pipeline could bring relief to energy-starved Pakistan, analysts say that the deal reveals more about the geopolitical dynamics between the US, Pakistan and Iran than about the government’s commitment to address the energy crisis.”
Achakzai offers to lead caretaker set-up
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s senior politician, leader of PakhtunKhawah Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and widely respected leader of Balochistan Mahmood Khan Achakzai, has expressed his willingness to accept the office of the caretaker prime minister after the government quits in the wake of the general election slated for mid-May.
“The country is facing acute troubles and I am prepared to play any role since the transparent elections only could steer the country out of the mess,” he said.
In a brief chat at the US Embassy on Wednesday evening on the sidelines of the ambassador’s reception, he gave account of his this week’s meetings with President Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif separately and said that he has impressed upon them to go for transparent and fair elections otherwise the country would be ruined.
A lot of gossip is going around for an offer to become caretaker chief executive to me but at the moment I can’t say anything with surety as I am leaving for Quetta today and come back for the all parties conference.
“I have asked both the interlocutors to agree on a person who should be dedicated and committed to the democracy and could manage fair and free elections. We must be careful about the intrigues,” he warned.
Internews
