Islamabad, Nov. 9 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has called for an early start on the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.

Stating that Pakistan is in dire need of energy, Zardari was quoted by the Daily Times as telling Iranian Ambassador Mashallah Shakiri that every effort must be made to to activate the project.

Ambassador Shakiri apprised Zardari of the developments made so far on the IPI project, and discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

Zardari said that Pakistan valued its relations with Iran and the two countries held common positions on several international and regional issues.

He also called for a peaceful solution to Iran’s stand-off with the United States on the nuclear issue, but added that Iran had the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes like any other country. (ANI)