Unjustifiable American Reservations Regarding Iran Pipeline Project

U.S. Ambassador Richard Olson, along with American Consul General Michael Dodman, visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam in Karachi and placed a wreath of flowers on the shrine. Talking to reporters at the shrine of the Quaid, the U.S. ambassador said that the U.S. wished to cooperate with Pakistan in the energy sector, and mentioned U.S. reservations regarding the Iran pipeline project.

Pakistan, like America, is a free and independent country. It has the authority to promote or review its relations with its neighbors according to their conduct, safeguard its interests and formulate its own domestic and foreign policies. America imposes undue sanctions on Iran and forces the world to go along with it. Pakistan and Iran are neighbors, friends and brother Muslim countries. There have been many agreements between them; why should these be annulled at the behest of America?

America has talked about cooperation with Pakistan in the energy sector. Where energy is concerned, it is not possible for America to help Pakistan in the way Iran can. What alternative to Iranian gas and electricity does America have for Pakistan?

We have to advance Pakistan in accordance with the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam, not according to the dictates of the United States. Olson himself highlighted this vision at the shrine of the Quaid when he repeated the following quote of Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah: “Our object should be peace within, and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial relations with our immediate neighbors and with the world at large.”

Olson Sahib elicited the meaning of his interest from this dictate, namely that, “These words reflect the common aspirations that Pakistanis and Americans still have to live in peace and security.” What he did not comment on was the matter of relations with neighbors. Better relations with neighbors are also an objective of the Quaid, which Pakistan may not abandon. The matter of “Mother India” is a different matter. “Mother India” cannot tolerate Pakistan’s existence and has never accepted it. God save everyone from such neighbors!