Musharraf backs Indo-Iran gas pipeline project

Expressing his full support to the Indo-Iran gas pipeline proposed to be laid through Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf has said the project will benefit all the three countries.

Musharraf, who met Iranian Vice President Muhammad Raza Arif here yesterday on the sidelines of the Afro-Asian summit, discussed the Indo-Iran gas pipeline project, Pakistan's official APP news agency reported.

Pakistan fully supports the project, Musharraf said, adding it will benefit all the three countries, according to the report.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's recent visit to Iran and noted that their countries enjoy cordial relations.

This is the first meeting between top leadership of Iran and Pakistan after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressed concern over the Iran-India gas pipeline during her visit to India and Pakistan recently.