US never threatened Pakistan with sanctions: Hina

Addressing a workshop on “Diplomatic Norms and Practices” at Foreign Service Academy in which a number of diplomatic correspondents were participating, Hina Rabbani Khar said that the US officials had already rebuffed the reports of threatening.“Pakistan can never be selective as far as its energy need is concerned,” she said.When the foreign minister was asked as to what would be position of Pakistan if Iran is attacked, she said that any attack or war would be catastrophic for the region. “And Pakistan would severely suffer, therefore, attack would neither take place nor can be allowed, it is clear.”To a question on US congressional hearing on Balochistan and a resolution in this connection, Khar said Washington perceives it as an internal issue of Pakistan. “The resolution was an individual act and as a member in our parliament has the right to introduce a resolution. Similarly the individual also had right,” she said, adding that the US administration is not supporting the resolution.Over the NATO supply, she said that the decision is with the parliament and let not undermine the government’s stance, however, supply of Afghan containers, under Pak-Afghan transit, trade was restored which was right of Afghans. After the decision of DCC supply to NATO in Afghanistan via Pakistan land of was stopped and supply through airspace was never mentioned in the decision.To another question about a report claiming that General James Mattis would visit Pakistan within 10 days, she said, “hope the joint parliamentary session would be convened within a week and let us see what happen, the US is also waiting for parliamentary review.” Khar said that it is the biggest achievement of the government that it has empowered the parliament for foreign policy.Over the increased trade volume with EU and US as compare to the trade with regional countries, she said reaching out the neighbours and the region is the topmost priority of the government but it never mean to lower trade with other parts of the world.She said relations with the regional country are being strengthened and Kabul was declared as the most important capital for Pakistan in the world. She said that relations with Russia are going well and a high-level delegation would hopefully visit Pakistan this year.To a question regarding Afghanistan as a strategic depth, she said that Pakistan is not pursuing the policy of the strategic depth and it support Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-driven reconciliation process in the neighbouring country. Pakistan is committed to peace and stability in the country and the region.The foreign minister said that national interest is supreme that drive foreign policy of Pakistan. --Online