India, Pak forced to abandon gas pipeline project

New Delhi, Apr 23: Pakistan's top Opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman today accused the western powers of 'arm twisting' India and Pakistan to abandon the tri-nation gas pipeline project with Iran. The Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Chief urged India to play a pivotal role in protecting the economic and political interests of the South Asian region.

Speaking at a seminar on Maulana Syed Asad Madani here, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Pakistani leader said India, Pakistan and China should evolve a common approach and strategy to stablise the situation in Afghanistan. ''The present situation in Afghanistan is a matter of concern for all of us. It is therefore all the more important for us to work together for ensuring stablity and peace in the volatile country,'' he added.

Maulana is heading a delegation of 25 senators and parliamentarians, including Chief Minister of North West Frontier Province(NWFP) Akram Durrani, to participate in the seminar, which is also attended by top clerics from Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka and other countries.

''We are under tremendous pressure to stop the gas pipeline project,'' he said adding, however, the Pakistan government refused to budge. It has also resisted sending troops to Iraq.

He said western powers have an eye on rich natural resources of the Central Asia. ''They do not want us to take benefit of these natural resources. It is because of this that they oppose construction of Gwadar port as well as the gas pipeline,'' he added.

Maulana Fazulur Rehman also urged India and Pakistan to resolve their bilateral issues amicably. He lauded the role of Maulana Asad Madni in taking lead in normalising ties between the two countries.

In the past few years, a lot of progress has been achieved in strengthening the cooperation.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yachuri said communal forces were trying to divide the country on communal and caste lines. Referring to the condition of Muslims, he said the Sachar Committee has provided grim picture of poverty, illteracy and economic status of Muslims.

UNI