ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 13 (UPI) -- Iran has the right to pursue a civilian nuclear energy program, opposition lawmakers in Pakistan told an Iranian news agency from Islamabad.
Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, the national assembly leader of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League, told the Fars News Agency that the Iranian nuclear program isn't illegal.
"Using nuclear technology to generate energy is the right of all states, including the Western and non-Western ones," he said.
Iran is facing international economic pressure over its controversial nuclear program. Iran sits on some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the world, though insists its nuclear program is for civilian energy and medical research. Western nations believe Iran is pursuing the technology needed to produce a nuclear weapon.
The Pakistani leader said his party objects to any economic sanctions on Iran as punishment for the nuclear program.
"We condemn such moves against Iran and we will support Iran and its people," he said.
Pakistani leaders are preparing for a July meeting in Tehran to discuss bilateral energy deals. Both sides are moving closer to developing a natural gas pipeline from Iran to feed energy-hungry Pakistan.
