PESHAWAR: Iranian consul general in Peshawar Hassan Darvishwand on Thursday stressed the need for early completion of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and said the project would benefit the two Islamic states.

“The project has been initiated by signing agreement with the former PPP government. Iran has almost completed the laying of the pipeline on its side but the work on it has been delayed on Pakistani side,” he said during the ‘Guest Hour Programme’ at the Peshawar Press Club here.

The envoy said Iran was optimistic that Pakistan would complete the project in line with the agreement, which would be beneficial for both the countries and their people.

He said the people of Pakistan, particularly those living in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were much resilient under the delicate law and order situation and they rendered sacrifices for the soil.

“External forces are fueling terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country in which a large number of innocent citizens were killed,” he said, adding that the conspiracies would end if the people continued to rendered sacrifices for the protection of their land.

About the current political crisis in Pakistan, Darvishwand said it was internal issue of Pakistan and Iran did not want to make any kind of intervention in such matters.

He, however, said Iran wanted everlasting peace, stability and prosperity in Pakistan as its brotherly Islam state.

The envoy said both the countries had very cordial relations for several decades, which were connected at thousands of miles border area and that the brotherly ties between them would remain intact in future.

“Our religious, culture history, politics and enemy are common, and only better relations between Iran and Pakistan will be beneficial for both Islamic countries,” he said.

Darvishwand said he had made efforts to improve economic and cultural ties between to neighboring countries during last three and half year.

He said Pakhtuns were very hospitable and loving people.

“Pakhtuns have given me much respect for which I am grateful to them,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2014