US influence emerges as major threat to Pakistan’s economy

Islamabad: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday said that American influence in Pakistan has reached to a limit where national dignity, sovereignty and interests are being compromised without considering the outcome.

Pak-Iran gas pipeline, one of the most vital and long-delayed projects necessary for the survival of the country has been abandoned ending hopes of revival of shambling economy, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.He said that the project to meet ever-increasing energy requirements stands quitted on the dictation of Washington which is another example of compromising national interests to please others.

The sudden and unexpected cancellation of visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Tehran where he was supposed to seal a final gas deal with his counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad is unfortunate.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that cancellation of the visit without bothering to give any explanation and silence of opposition over the issue is shameful.

He said that declining Iranian offer to provide $500 million to complete the pipeline while happily accepting US suggestion to make available $200 million for construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam is something which will never go down well with masses.

Pakistan will start paying Iran $ 200 million monthly to Iran whether it received any gas or not for which the incumbent government will be sole responsible, he said.

Pakistan has sacrificed everything to support US which is against our national interests; he said adding that it is tragic that government has once again proved that we are unable to safeguard our interests.

There is no justification for turning back from a project that was in advance stages of implementation, he observed.Rejecting the statement of spokesman of foreign office over President’s visit, Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that now country depends on the US assistance even for maintenance of tube wells and electricity meters which supports the belief that Pakistan is a collapsing state fallen in US the trap.