Pak-Iran gas pipeline in national interest, say president Zardari
President Zardari Monday says Pakistan doesn't want confrontation with any country in the world.
LAHORE Dunya News): President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the world should realize our national interests. “We need cheaper energy and Pak-Iran pipeline is our basic requirement in order to overcome energy crisis which has pushed the country on the abyss of destruction”, said president.
He was speaking after inaugurating three separate projects in Lahore Monday including Prem Nagar Dry Port project of Railways and Allai Khwar and Jinnah Hydro power projects.
Federal Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and State Minister for Water and Power Tasneem Qureshi, several parliamentarians and ambassadors of different countries were also present.
He said that the work on Pak-Iran gas pipeline would be kicked off on March 11. He said that the preliminary review report of the project had been prepared in 1994.
The President said that new incoming government would take advantage of its geographical importance in collaboration with international friends and the project would be completed with full potential.
“We increased the expenditure on financial framework by 10 percent but it should be raised by 100 percent for the progress and prosperity of the country.
The President said that it is not the government’s job to carry out trade; rather it can only facilitate the private sector. With the inception of Prem Nagar Dry Port, the economic activity of the country would be flourished where state of art services have been provided to importers and exporters. He said that country earned 280.07 million as profit from the project so far.
The port has been constructed at 100 hectors of land.
He said that Railways is working with private sector to play its role in national economy.
