Wednesday, April 19 2006 17:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Asserting that it has no plans to abandon the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project despite strong objections from the US, Islamabad has said it is the most feasible option" to import cheap gas. "We are talking to the Iranians about the price along with the Indians who are still on board. Once the issue of price is settled with Iran and India, we will move ahead on the project," Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri told reporters in Lahore yesterday before leaving for a tour of Turkey and Germany.

He said there were three routes available to Pakistan to import gas Iran, Turkmenistan and Qatar.

However, Kasuri said, "We are committed to the Iran pipeline project because it's the most feasible option. We have other options but we'll do whatever is in Pakistan's national interest."

The US is opposed to the project in view of tensions arising out of Iran's nuclear programme. About the India-Pakistan relations, Kasuri said the Composite Dialogue process is moving in the right direction.

"Both countries want to resolve all outstanding issues and confidence building measure would lead to the settlement of all problems including minor ones like Sir Creek and Siachin and ultimately the core issue of Kashmir," he said.

Asked about the approach of Indian leadership, he said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has stated that India wanted 'pragmatic and practical' resolution of issues.

Replying to a question, Kasuri said the two countrieswould take steps for easing visa restrictions with further improvement in relations.

Kasuri said there was no pressure on Pakistan regarding its nuclear programme.

"Now talk of rollback and capping of the programme has become thing of the past. Our nuclear programme is for defensive purpose and we have already offered India strategic Restraint Regime in the context of Composite Dialogue process," he said.

Kasuri maintained Pakistan's opposition to any military solution to resolve the Iranian nuclear programme.

"We won't support or take part in any attempt of aggression against Iran because Pakistan thinks that force is not the solution," he said.

He said Pakistan was pursuing a three-point strategy to solve the Iran Issue. First, no aggression; second, increased diplomatic efforts through the International Atomic Energy Agency and international community; and third, stopping Iran from building a nuclear bomb.

"We cannot support an act of aggression against Iran because there will be a severe reaction in the Muslim world," Kasuri said.

"Basic ingredients of our policy vis-a-vis Iran's nuclear issue are that there should be non-violent resolution of the problem; diplomacy should be given a chance and no haste should be shown," he said.

He said Iran's stance is that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purpose and it does not want to develop nuclear weapons while its supreme religious leader has stated that nuclear weapons are against the dictates of Islam.

"Iran is a signatory of NPT and it should be given all rights under the treaty and Iran should fulfil its obligation. When Iran states that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purpose and the world also want it to keep its programme peaceful, diplomacy can work and should be given a chance to sort out the matter," he said.