Pak-Iran gas pipeline not a good idea: Munter

LAHORE: US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said on Friday that the Pak-Iran gas pipeline was not a good idea, Geo News reported. The plan to get gas from Turkmenistan is a “better idea,” Munter added.

Speaking during a lecture at a private Lahore University, the US ambassador denied having met Imran Khan and ISI chief Pasha together. Munter also said that the US wanted to strengthen both civil and military ties with Pakistan.

On the memo issue, Munter commented that it was treated with seriousness in the US along with the resignation of Husain Haqqani. Munter added that on the protest of Army chief Kayani, some US officials in Pakistan were sent back.

Agencies add: US Ambassador Cameron Munter on Friday said the United States wants a strong Pakistan and stressed the role of both countries in ensuring a stable, democratic, and prosperous region.

“Pakistan’s success is America’s success,” Munter said in his address to more than 150 students at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) here, according to a US embassy statement.

The US ambassador said the students of Pakistan would have to take the leadership to make their country stable, democratic, and prosperous. He emphasized the themes of leadership, partnership and solidarity.

The ambassador and his wife Dr. Marilyn Wyatt focused on inspiring Pakistan’s next generation of leaders on the first day of their visit to Lahore. Munter said LUMS exemplifies the type of partnership between Pakistan and the United States having partnerships with eminent American institutions like Harvard and the University of Chicago. He said LUMS has also partnerships with leading American businesses like Pepsi and Citibank.

Ambassador Munter expressed admiration for LUMS and said the institution can be a leading model for Pakistan and the world. Dr. Wyatt inspired young students at the Children’s Literature Festival held in Lahore on Friday. Reading from the American classic Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Dr. Wyatt remarked on the power of books to inspire the best in children. The US mission provided a $10,000 grant to support the two-day festival.

Talking to media persons, the US ambassador said that Pak-Iran gas pipeline project was not in Pakistan’s interest, suggesting that instead Pakistan can get the required quantity of gas from Turkmenistan. Munter said this US stand was not a dictation but a friendly advice.

He said the US was fighting the war on terror in line with the wishes of Pakistan government and the people. He said the US recognises the sacrifices by Pakistan in the fight against militancy but stressed that military assistance to Pakistan was linked with the war on terror.

To a question, Ambassador Munter said the US had taken the memo issue and resignation of Husain Haqqani seriously and if asked, the US would cooperate in the investigation. However, he said it was the responsibility of the government to hold an inquiry.

About Sherry Rehman, Munter said they know her well and hoped that they would jointly work to strengthen the relations between the two countries. He said a strong and stable Pakistan was in the interest of the United States and keeping this in view, they were working to strengthen the bilateral relations.