Pakistan hails 'historic' Iran nuclear deal

Pakistan today welcomed the historic deal between Iran and Western powers on Tehran's nuclear programme, saying it would greatly help its goal for cheap gas, peace in Afghanistan and better ties with India.
"Pakistan welcomes the understanding reached between the Islamic Republic of Iran and P5+1 in Geneva on the Iran nuclear issue," the Foreign Office here said in a statement.
Pakistan has always underscored the importance of finding a peaceful solution to this issue, the statement said, adding it has been stressing the need to avert confrontation over Iran's nuclear programme which had the potential to destabilise the region.

"The understanding is an important development, which should augur well for peace and security in our region and the world at large," it said.
A top Pakistani government official said the deal was historic.
"History has been made. We can get cheap gas, it will affect the Saudi influence in the region and will have positive impact on Afghan peace," the official told PTI.

He added that this deal would have a positive impact on the security situation in the region.
"Most important for us is Iran gas, Afghan peace and also better relations with India - and this deal can help do all these three," he said.

Energy-starved Pakistan is very keen on a gas pipeline project with Iran. It has been stuck due to financing troubles since Pakistan cannot get foreign funds due to economic sanctions on Iran.
India, too, was once part of this project but has taken a backseat and is now actively pursuing the Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project, that is being promoted by the US.
World powers today reached an agreement with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.
The announcement came after more than four days of talks in Geneva between Iran and the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.