Pakistan has never favored the sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program and it stands for a diplomatic solution of the issue, Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan said Tuesday.

"Pakistan is studying the resolution and perhaps it will not have any impact on Pak-Iran bilateral relations as the scope of this resolution is regarding only cooperation in nuclear issues while Pakistan is not cooperating with Iran," he told a news briefing.

However, Khan hoped that diplomatic efforts would not be abandoned due to this resolution.

"Iran has right to have access to peaceful nuclear technology under the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards and it should also abide by its obligations under the NPT (nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty)," he said.

To a question regarding the Iran, Pakistan India gas pipeline, Khan said that it is very important for Pakistan as it has energy needs and it is a commercial project which could not be linked with the United Nations sanctions.

He said that the three countries are engaged in intensive discussions and now they are working to resolve the issue of pricing.

"All the parties have agreed to appoint a consultant and come up with suggestions," he said.

He hoped that pricing issue would be resolved as there is political will to have an accord.

"We are not working on this accord under any pressure but only pressure is that we have energy needs," he added.

Source: Xinhua