Responding to a question on the project during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, FM Dar said: 'We have to watch our interests, look at our commitments and the government has to make decisions while keeping Pakistan’s interest in mind about what we will do, when will we do and how will we do [no matter] what the US or other countries say.

'It can’t be dictated on us and neither will we allow anyone to use veto. Pakistan is a sovereign country and the way we respect others’ sovereignty, we expect the others to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty,” the deputy PM said.

The US has maintained that it does not support the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project from going forward and cautioned about the risk of sanctions in doing business with Tehran.

FM Dar added that the government would accordingly decide the matter. Dar said the Iranian president’s visit to Pakistan was very productive.

To another query, he replied that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman would undertake a bilateral visit to Pakistan soon and the government would receive a date in this regard in the current month.