Pakistan is not shying away from a fight with the U.S. over Washington’s threat of sanctions if Islamabad continues to push ahead with plans for a gas pipeline to Iran.

- Aamir Qureshi/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
- Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar hit back hard after Hillary Clinton threatened Pakistan with sanctions.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton threatened sanctions if Pakistan goes ahead with the $1.5 billion pipeline, a project which Washington views as undermining its attempts to squeeze Iran to drop its nuclear program. The next day, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar hit back hard.
“All of these projects are in Pakistan’s national interest and will be pursued and completed irrespective of any extraneous considerations,” Ms. Khar said. “As far as our bilateral relations and co-operation is concerned, we do not make it contingent on views and policies of any third country.”
For once, it appears Pakistan and India are taking a similar position. New Delhi, too, has argued that it needs Iranian crude oil to meet its energy needs, despite pressure from the U.S. to cut back.