ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Wednesday that Pakistan was playing the role of an anchor state in the process of promoting peace and stability in the region.

Talking to a delegation of Sikh Foundation led by Dr Narinder Singh Kapany at prime minister's house, Mr Aziz explained the efforts of taking the Pakistan-India composite dialogue to a positive conclusion.

He said Pakistan believed in interfaith harmony and the minorities in Pakistan enjoyed equal rights and they actively participated in political as well as in the economic activities.

As Muslims, he said, "we believe in tolerance and religious Freedom". Briefing the delegation on Pakistan's economic progress, Mr Aziz said the deregulation policies had helped the country achieve 6.4 per cent GDP growth rate last year which was expected to go up to 7 per cent in the current fiscal.

He said Pakistan had great tourism potential and the government Was encouraging religious tourism there being many religious places of Sikhs and Buddhists in Pakistan.

Mr Aziz also received the visiting oil minister of Iran, Engineer Zanganeh, and discussed with him various options for supply of gas from Iran. Mr Aziz said that although Pakistan had strong friendship with Iran, there was much room to improve these relations.

He said with the increasing growth rate in economy The need for hydrocarbons was also increasing and in order to meet the energy requirements Pakistan wanted to import gas or LNG at competitive rates.

The premier said a gas pipeline was a win-win proposition for Iran, India and Pakistan as Pakistan was interested in importing gas from overseas to meet its growing energy needs and exploring various options.

Also on Wednesday the prime minister reviewed performance of The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and stressed the importance of mass communication sector. He urged Pemra to facilitate electronic media channels and award new licences in a transparent manner through competitive bidding.