Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Thursday said the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project would be implemented at all costs.
Talking to reporters‚ she said President Asif Ali Zardari will visit Tehran shortly.
To a question‚ she said there were differences with the United States on the issue of drone attacks. The foreign minister said Pakistan strictly stood by its principle and position on the Kashmir issue.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim bin Salih Al-Ghadeer, called on Khar to extend an invitation from Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, to visit Saudi Arabia at her earliest convenience. Khar said she would be very pleased to visit Saudi Arabia, as Pakistan attached immense importance to its special relations with the country.
She asked the ambassador to convey her best wishes to the Saudi foreign minister, adding that she was eagerly looking forward to her meeting with the his royal highness.
The ambassador thanked the foreign minister for accepting the invitation, and noted that her visit would further enhance the exemplary relations between the two brotherly countries.
Bilateral issues and regional matters of mutual interest were also discussed during the meeting.
Separately, talking to a private TV channel, Khar said terrorism, militancy and incidents of violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan were a great threat for regional peace.
She said Pakistan wanted the United States to have responsible exit from Afghanistan to keep regional peace and stability.
The foreign minister said Pakistan’s role was to assist the Afghan government in achieving its objectives and responsible transition and exit of the US was possible through reconciliation.
Khar said the two sides wanted that all elements which used violence to prove their strength, utilise political means to achieve their goals. She said national reconciliation between the Taliban and the Afghan government will be necessary for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.
To a question, she said peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan authorities in future should be held in Kabul and not on foreign soil. She said intra-Afghan dialogue woudl be needed to maintain peace in Afghanistan. Khar said Pakistan saw it role as a facilitator which helped the Afghans to maintain their sovereignty and take decisions according to their own needs.
She said the international community had a consensus that peace and stability should be maintained in Afghanistan.
