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Zardari Defends Pipeline With Iran


Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has defended his government's decision to partner with Iran to build a gas pipeline.

Speaking to journalists in Lahore on March 2, Zardari said constructing the pipeline was in the national interest, as was a decision to award China a contract to operate the Gwadar Port.

Zardari's comments come after the Pakistani leader visited Tehran earlier in the week to finalize the long-awaited deal with Iran.

The United States is against the project because it wants to isolate Iran economically over fears the country might be able to develop a nuclear weapon. Tehran denies the charge.

Pakistani leaders have vowed to press ahead with the pipeline despite U.S. opposition, saying the deal is vital to supplying gas to the energy-starved country.
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