Iranians work on a section of a pipeline linking Iran and Pakistan after the project was launched during a ceremony in the Iranian border city of Chah Bahar on March 11, 2013. (AFP Photo / Atta Kenare)[/caption]says the completion of Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project will further strengthen Tehran-Islamabad relations.
He told IRNA on Monday that the construction the pipeline to carry natural gas from Iran to its eastern neighbor will also significantly develop cooperation between the two countries.
Mashhadi said that the Islamic Republic and Pakistan enjoy fraternal and everlasting amicable relations.
He pointed to religious, cultural and social commonalities between the two countries and said the Islamic Republic of Iran is Pakistans best neighbor.
He said that certain countries are seeking to undermine Iran-Pakistan strong ties.
The Pakistani senator said the United States has adopted anti-Iran stances because the Islamic Republic pursues independent policies and spurns Washingtons bullying.
On March 11, Irans President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari inaugurated the final construction phase of the gas pipeline.
The US has threatened Pakistan with sanctions if Islamabad complements the deal with Iran. However, Pakistan has, on several occasions, stressed that it will pursue the gas pipeline project.
The pipeline will see 21.5 million cubic meters (mcm) per day of Iranian natural gas be exported to Pakistan.
The multi-billion-dollar pipeline is designed to help Pakistan overcome its growing energy needs at a time when the country of over 180 million people is grappling with serious energy shortages.
By Press TV
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