ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Tuesday told National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs that international sanctions were major hurdles in implantation of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project.
Briefing the committee, the Secretary said that the Saudi-led Muslim countries alliance was against terrorism, adding that there was no change in Pakistan’s policy on Saudi Arab, Iran and Yemen.
Referring to ex-Army Chief’s joining the alliance, she said that any retired military officer was free to accept any job.
Tehmina Janjua ruled out any change in Pakistan’s policy regarding Iran, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. She said that Pakistan was trying to reduce tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Tahmina Janjua said Pakistan and Iran enjoy cordial and brotherly relations and have no border dispute between them. He assured the members of the committee that Gen Raheel would not be working against the interests of Iran, as the alliance is against terrorism.
Chairman of the Committee Awais Ahmad Leghari, who presided over the meeting, said that Iran had reservations over the alliance.
He added that the committee would undertake a visit of Iran next months. He asked the members to submit written proposals regarding improving ties between the two countries, adding that the same would be shared with Iranian experts during the visit.
Expressing his anger over the Iranian ambassador to Pakistan’s statement, Aftab Ahmed Sherpao inquired from the Foreign Secretary about the veracity of the reports that Iran is supporting Taliban.
When the committee chairman pointed out to funding of NGOs on sectarian basis, Janjua said that foreign findings was being stopped under National Action Plan. She added that steps were being taken with the help of Finance Ministry and State Bank of Pakistan aginst foreign funding of terrorism.
PTI MNA Shereen Mazari asked whether the Islamic military alliance will fight against Israel or not.
Sheparo said that if the objectives of the alliance were not know then how we can become part of such an alliance.
Leghari observed that it would have been better had any non-Pakistani led the military alliance.
