KARACHI, June 18: Dispelling an impression that the United States was a hurdle to the Pakistan-Iran-India gas pipeline project, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here on Sunday that the project was in the greater interest of the region and Pakistan would continue to pursue it.

“I disagree with those who term the US a hurdle in this regard. The construction of a gas pipeline from Iran to India through Pakistan is in the greater interest of the region and no one should have any reservations on that. We have to meet our future energy requirements and if three countries are clear about their interests, then there will be no hurdle in its execution,” Mr Aziz said, adding that if a fourth country had a different view on the project, it could be convinced “because this project makes sense to the people of this region”.

He was addressing the concluding session of the three-day electronic media workshop organised by the South Asia Free Media Association (Safma), and later responding to question of delegates.

The prime minister observed that funding would not be a problem for the pipeline. “This is a peace pipeline and there will be various sources to fund this project,” he added.

Similarly, he said, security was not an issue as every country knew how to protect its national assets.

“Energy diplomacy has become a very complex issue, but we must pursue our national interest.”

“This region has the largest energy reserves and we have to explore and exploit them as this is our future requirement,” Mr Aziz said. “If there are some challenges vis-à-vis execution of the project, that doesn’t mean that those challenges cannot be overcome.”

The prime minister expressed disappointment that there was no breakthrough on Siachen issue during the recently held talks between Pakistan and India.

“Yes, we are a little disappointed over non-advancement on Siachen issue. However, we are still committed to the dialogue for concrete settlement of the issue,” Prime Minister Aziz said.

He said that the Kashmir issue was at the heart of relations between Pakistan and India. “We believe that a just and durable settlement of this core issue can only be based on the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. We also recognise that such a solution must be acceptable to both Pakistan and India,” he said.

To achieve this objective, the prime minister said, all three parties must demonstrate commitment, flexibility, magnanimity and leadership.

“We have put forward ideas such as demilitarisation and self-governance to encourage the dialogue and out-of-box thinking.”

Asked whether Pakistan was disappointed by the Indian response to the proposals of demilitarisation and self-governance, Mr Aziz said Pakistan expected the Indian side to respond in order to carry the discussions forward.

“It is now essential that we must engage in a substantive and result-oriented dialogue to resolve Kashmir dispute and move beyond restating our known positions,” he added.

The prime minister stressed the need for a paradigm shift on Kashmir saying that the time had come to move from conflict management to conflict resolution.

He observed that the ongoing dialogue process between the two countries had led to reduction of tension and adoption of several confidence-building measures, which had facilitated people to people contacts.

Asked whether Pakistan was disappointed that there had been no headway in regard to Indian prime minister’s proposed visit to Pakistan, Mr Aziz said Mr Manmohan Singh was welcome and expressed the hope that he would visit Pakistan whenever it was convenient for him.— Online