Iran assured gas accord will be honoured

Pakistan has assured visiting Iranian vice-president that it would implement on a fast track basis the gas pipeline project despite mounting pressure by the United States. “Pakistan is fully committed to importing electricity and gas from Iran and we are working on a fast track basis to finalise these deals at the earliest,” Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the prime minister’s adviser on finance, told visiting Iranian Deputy President Ali Saeedlou. Saeedani also called on President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday and discussed with him bilateral ties and regional situation. The upcoming visit to Pakistan by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghan President Hamid Karzai for a trilateral meeting on February 16 also figured during the talks. Hafeez Shaikh was quoted by official APP new agency that notwithstanding international pressures, Pakistan would honour agreements with Iran on gas and electricity imports. Tehran - Khaleej times