Pakistani leader visits Iran to discuss gas deal

Pakistan's president Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to discuss a strategic pipeline for transferring Iranian gas to his country.                

He was welcomed by Iran's Oil Minister Rostam Ghasemi at Tehran's Mehrabad airport.                       

Zardari and Ghasemi are expected to finalize the pipeline deal during the visit.                         

The deal is being opposed by the United States because it is trying to isolate Iran economically over fears that the country might be seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
         
Tehran denies the charge and says its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful purposes such as generating electricity.              

Pakistani leaders have vowed to press ahead with the pipeline despite US opposition, saying it was vital for the supply of gas to the energy-starved country.                   

Iranian media said Tehran has agreed to provide a 500 Million US dollar loan to help finance construction of the pipeline on the Pakistani side.


APTN