No change in Pak-Iran gas pipeline project: FO

Pakistan says the regional countries should avoid arms race and not acquire the weapons and systems having the potential to destabilize the situation.Responding to the queries of media persons at the weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday about the procurement of nuclear sub marine by India from Russia‚ the foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit said the region is faced with multidimensional issues and acquisition of such weapons will not serve the purpose. He said millions of people in the region are living below the poverty line and focus rather should be made on their economic well being.Responding to question about the situation in Afghanistan‚ the foreign office spokesman said that Pakistan will always support efforts aimed at bringing peace and stability there. Islamabad‚ he said‚ will play its part to achieve this shared objective.He said Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will soon be visiting Kabul but so far no date has been fixed. He said we have always tried to build strong bilateral relations with Afghanistan. Besides we have also pursued other trilateral and quadrilateral tracks to enhance cooperation with this important neighbouring country.He said reconciliation in Afghanistan is our top most priority and it is our categorical position that the solution of the problem there lies in Afghan led and Afghan owned peace process. He said it is important the reconciliation process moves forward so that the Afghan authorities can run successfully run their affairs in the post 2014 situation.About the number of prisoners in Bagraam‚ the spokesman said that currently about thirty one Pakistani prisoners are held up in Bagraam prison and our mission there is making all out efforts to ensure their safe return.When asked about the US-Iran tension and the status of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project‚ the foreign office spokesman said that our stance on the pipeline project has not changed. He said we are reviewing the US legislation on Irans sanctions but our understanding is that the gas project is not covered under those sanctions. He said Pakistan believes that the tension between Iran and the United States should be resolved through dialogue.When asked about the status of relations with the United States‚ Abdul Basit said we are not totally disengaged with Washington. Referring to the meeting of the US Ambassador Cameron Munter with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar‚ he said our diplomatic channels are fully engaged. He said interaction at the political level is on hold for now as we are awaiting for the completion of parliamentary process on the new terms of engagement. He said Pakistan would like to engage with the United States and discuss all the issues. He said Pakistan shares the objective to eliminate terrorists.