Islamabad: Pakistan's top leadership on Thursday assured visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that the government is committed to a multi-billion dollar bilateral gas pipeline project that has come under a cloud due to sanctions imposed on Tehran by Western powers.
During a meeting with Ahmadinejad, President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the "expeditious implementation of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project" and other energy projects, including a 1000MW electricity
transmission line and a venture to supply 100MW to the port city of Gwadar in Balochistan province.
During a separate meeting, Ahmadinejad and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani agreed to pursue energy projects, including the gas pipeline, on a "fast-track basis".
They reviewed the status of the pipeline project, an official statement said.
Questions have been raised about the viability of the pipeline project following sanctions imposed on Iran by Western powers over its controversial nuclear programme.
The US too is pressuring Pakistan not to go ahead with the gas pipeline project.
In a recent address at a rally, Zardari said Pakistan would not accept any pressure aimed at curtailing its trade relations with any country.
During his meeting with Ahmadinejad, Zardari called for enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and Iran to promote peace, stability and economic progress of the region and the two countries.
The two leaders reiterated their "firm resolve for boosting mutual coordination to face common challenges", including terrorism, drugs and narcotics trafficking and human smuggling.
The Iranian leader appreciated the role Pakistan is playing in promoting regional stability and peace.
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