Iran a stable, time-tested friend/ Pakistan must take IP serious: Pak ex-minister

In an exclusive interview with IRNA, Central Information Secretary of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Qamar Zaman Kaira said, 'We do believe that Iranians will never allow any country to use their soil against the interest of Pakistan.'

Giving his views on Iran, Pakistan relations, the politician said there is a strong bond between Iran and Pakistan which is much stronger and deeper that relations of any other country in south Asia with Iran.

Commenting on Chabahar agreement between Iran, India and Afghanistan, Qamar Zaman Kaira viewed that Pakistan should resolve its issues with India peacefully.

“Iran or other countries like the US and Afghanistan have good relations with India which doesn’t mean those coutries do not have good relations with Pakistan” said the opposition leader.

The politician expressing his views said Iran and Afghanistan have long history of strong relations with India and there is nothing wrong in their cooperation.

“If we develop both Chabahar and Gwadar, it will create a hub in this area. I think that Chabahar and Gwadar can be sister ports. They can be supportive ports not against any one,” said Kaira.

He added that Iran has to develop its own infrastructure seeing its own benefits.
“We are only concerned about large presence of India in Afghanistan near Pakistani border but we are not against cooperation between Indian, Iran and Afghanistan,” said the PPP leader.

To a question the senior PPP leader said now sanctions are being lifted from Iran which is a good sign and Pakistan government must pay enough attention to Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline (IP) project and take it quite seriously.

Commenting on the current political crisis in Pakistan over Panama leaks, former information minister rejected the possibility of any military takeover in Pakistan even during this critical period, adding that military has no such plans. “Our military has learnt a lot and I don’t feel like any kind of take over situation because of Panama issue,” he said.

“We are against any military take over. Pakistan People’s Party always supports democratic Pakistan and any move which is undemocratic or unconstitutional Peoples Party will block it,” he said.

Qamar Zaman Kaira went on to say that all opposition parties are united on Panama issue and if the government does not agree on investigation of the matter the opposition parties will sit together and will decide the future strategy which may be going to streets.

He denied rumors about any meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and PPP's co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Panama issue.

Elsewhere in the interview, he said that the US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has praised the young chairman of PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, because she knows about the struggle of his mother Benazir Bhutto for a democratic Pakistan and “believes that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari can carry the legacy of his mother.”

“Bilawal is trying to lead this country for right democratic system in Pakistan and he is mature enough to lead this country like his grandfather and mother,” he said.

The political leader also added there is no doubt that even Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is training his daughter Maryam Nawaz as his successor in the politics.

The former minister expressing his views on Pakistan-US ties, said relations between Pakistan and the US have special history. There have been ups and down but for the last three decades our relationship has been hijacked because of the Afghan situation.

He said US is trying to put pressure on Pakistan for more regressive policy in fight against terrorism but it is Pakistan who will decide its strategy. “Pakistan is an independent country and has to follow an independent foreign policy not linked with any particular country,” he said,

The political leader said killing of Taliabn chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour on Pakistani soil by Americans is an obstacle against Afghanistan peace process. “After some time the new leadership of Taliban has to come to dialogue but Americans must consider one thing that any unilateral action that is hurting the peace process will not serve the interest of any country,” he viewed.

Commenting on Iran-Saudi tensions and Hajj issue, Pakistan former information minister said this is very unfortunate that this year Iranian pilgrims are deprived of Hajj. The political leader noted all Muslims must be allowed to perform Hajj and no one should stop them.

“Government of Pakistan should try its level best to resolve the issue between Iran and Saudi Arabia, both are our friends,” he said.

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