Pakistan values ties with Iran: PTI leader

In an exclusive interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), PTI spokesperson Fawad Hussain Chaudhry, who is likely to assume the portfolio of Pakistan’s next information minister, said PTI Chairman Imran Khan has categorically stated in his first speech that his government would like to have strong ties with Iran.

“It is a cultural relation, we have very strong strategic ties, we have very strong religious ties so Iran is a very important country for Pakistan in many terms,” he said.

The PTI leader added there are certain misconceptions in Iran-Pakistan ties but ‘I think we can work together to remove those misconceptions.’

Commenting on PTI’s policy in Middle East he said as far as the scenario in the Middle East is concerned ‘we would like to offer ourselves if possible to resolve the conflicts in the region.’

He said Imran Khan is true Muslim, true Pakistani so in that spirit he would like to help in the resolutions of conflicts.

“Obviously we value our relationship with Iran and it will further be strengthened in Imran Khan’s government,” he said.

Fawad Hussain Chaudhry added that the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline and Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline (TAPI) are two important projects for Pakistan.

He added that the two projects are halted because of some political considerations.

“We want that economic consideration must surpass political considerations, our economy is more important for our people than politics,” he noted.

“We would like to work closely with Iran on IP gas pipeline likewise we also want TAPI to be completed as soon as possible,” he added noting that the US is a big hurdle to this end.

“We have already advised the US to review its policy on Afghanistan and we would also like to advise the US to revise its policy on Iran and must listen to the rest of the world,” he said.

The politician said that the [nuclear] agreement between Iran and 5+1 was important and should have been honored.

“We are sorry that the agreement has not been honored and I think wars are no solution to the problems, negotiations are the solution to the problems,” Fawad Hussain Chaudhry noted.

He went on to say that the Iranian government has so far offered very sane solutions to the problems and ‘I think the Iranian government needs to be encouraged for solutions of the problems.’

“I think that policy of the US President Donald Trump is totally different from President Obama’s policy and has been subjected to criticism not only in rest of the world but within US also,” he said.

He said that President Trump’s policy is very aggressive in all terms and world cannot afford such kinds of aggression from super powers.

According to the Pakistani politician, since the US has a huge influence in the world so it is their duty to act in a responsible manner in their policies and talks.

Fawad Hussain Chaudhry said European leaders and intelligentsia within the US are worried about President Trump’s approach and ‘I think he needs to listen to them if he doesn’t need to listen to us.’

He said that Iran has to play very important role in the Middle East.
“Iran is our neighboring country so I think we should resolve all issues through dialogue,” he said.

Referring to various fronts that Iran is facing with, including the Middle East front, and the US front, the politician stressed the need for enjoying ‘regional stability.’

He said Pakistan forms very important strategic base for Iran.

“Pakistan should realize that Iran is important country so both countries need to work together for peace and stability in the region,” he viewed.