ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: Pakistan has made it clear that the UN Security Council resolution slapping sanctions on Iran would not affect Tehran-Islamabad economic ties. Islamabad also stressed the need for a negotiated settlement of the issue.

“It will have no impact on Iran-Pakistan economic relations because we do not have any transactions with Iran in the nuclear sector,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told Dawn on Sunday when asked if the sanctions would have any bearing on the bilateral relations.

“Our economic ties with Iran will continue,” she categorically stated.

The spokesperson ruled out the possibility of the sanctions affecting the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

When asked about Pakistan’s stand on the resolution adopted by the UNSC against Iran, Ms Aslam was non-committal and said: “We are still examining it.” However, she emphatically stated: “We still want to see a negotiated settlement of the issue.”

The spokesperson declined to comment on Iran’s reaction to the sanctions or the US calls for tougher sanctions.

Pakistan, which at one time was itself the most sanctioned country, has consistently maintained that sanctions are counterproductive.

Apparently the nuclear issue was one of the key topics of discussion at Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri’s meetings with the Iranian president, his Iranian counterpart and Iranian chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani during his recent visit to Iran.

The Iranian leadership strongly defended Tehran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear technology, making it clear that nothing could deter them from pursing it.

The Iranian leadership has generally been appreciative of Pakistan’s political and diplomatic support over the nuclear issue. Pakistan has been advocating a negotiated and diplomatic settlement of the issue within the IAEA framework, saying it is strongly opposed to any coercive measures or the use of force against Iran as it would endanger regional security and stability.

Pakistan’s position has been that all parties should adhere to their international obligations and their rights should also be respected.