May 1, 2006	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 2, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, April 30: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azim has said Pakistan will not succumb to US pressure on the gas pipeline project with Iran. “We have our own national interests which we will safeguard to the best of our ability,” he said in an informal chat with a group of newsmen here on Sunday.

He said Pakistan was keen to go ahead with the project, even if India did not participate. He pointed out that it was the shortest possible route to meet the gas requirements of the country.

The minister said Pakistan would be able to sign an agreement with Iran on the gas pipeline project in June. “We are also contemplating major oil storage facilities at Gwadar, which will not only boost Gwadar port’s potential for Far Eastern importers of oil, but to some extent, stabilizers the oil prices,” he added.

Replying to a question, he said Pakistan was seeking a civil nuclear energy deal with the United States, but other options were open too.