ISLAMABAD: Emphasising the need for honouring the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline deal, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has asked both the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) to stay away from internal affairs of Pakistan.

“No country can restrict Pakistan from doing business with other countries. Pakistan will do business with Russia, China and any other country, which is in our best interest. We do not like interference in internal matters,” said PAC Chairman MNA Noor Alam Khan, adding; “Pakistan has done enough. It is time they do more for Pakistan.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed echoed the chairman when he said that the West could not limit Pakistan from taking decisions in its best interest while being lenient with India to enter into oil and arms deals with Russia.

“The West will have to do away with double standards. For the first time, Pakistan has made payment other than the dollar in the oil deal with Russia. Pakistan should enter into a similar arrangement with Iran,” Mr Syed said.

Chairman says US and UK should stay away from internal affairs of Pakistan

These observations were made when the PAC met to review audit report of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2019-20.

PAC observed that Pakistan could face penalties of up to $18 billion if it failed to execute and complete its part of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. The committee members also lamented that the USA had been hindering the completion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and creating obstacles in cordial relations with Saudi Arabia.

The PAC chairman also expressed concerns regarding the interference of American congressmen and British MPs in the affairs of Pakistan by writing letters and engaging in debates about the country’s human rights situation in violation of the UN charter.

“The so-called congressmen and MPs dictating Pakistan on human rights should first set their houses in order,” Mr Khan said as he directed Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Asad Majeed Khan to instruct Pakistani ambassadors abroad to counter the allegations.

He also registered a complaint with the secretary over Pakistan’s UN envoy Akram Munir’s racist remarks made against Pashtuns in February.

Senator Mushahid Hussain also said Munir’s remarks were against the federation and its ideology.

The PAC chairman said: “He does not deserve to represent Pakistan. We will convey our displeasure to the PM and the foreign minister.”

However, in response to US and UK parliamentarians’ commenting on Pakistan’s human rights situation, the foreign secretary said his office was monitoring the matter and continuously briefing ambassadors.

He conveyed a message from the US government that a prosperous an democratic Pakistan that fully respected the rights of its citizens was critical to its interests.

“We want the developing situation in Pakistan to remain consistent within the rule of law and the country’s Constitution,” he read the message.

Dr Khan said Pakistan was reaching to the US through diplomatic channels and had conveyed to them that the situation in Pakistan was within legal framework.

In response to objections over the Iran gas pipeline project, the foreign secretary said the matter was being taken up at multiple levels.

“The PM is personally overseeing the legal, economic and political and sanctions related aspects concerning the project. The right course of action will be taken that would be in the best interest of Pakistan,” the foreign secretary added.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2023