Islamabad, Sep 17 (IANS): It is high time to tell the US that Pakistan "would not take any dictation from anyone", said a daily Saturday.

The Nation editorially said: "It is high time to tell the United States that Pakistan would deal with its immediate neighbours in line with its national interest and would not take any dictation from anyone."

It said that the gas pipeline project with Iran is "a lifeline for us for overcoming the energy crisis".

An US energy team Thursday "came up with a strange demand that Pakistan should abandon this project and instead offered assistance for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project (TAPI) as an alternative option".

The editorial said: "Although, Pakistani energy managers have assured...that Pakistan would honour international obligations while executing the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, these so-called international obligations are, in fact, a demonstration of the American animosity against Iran."

"Washington has already successfully persuaded India to jump out of the deal, leaving Iran and Pakistan to implement the project. It is an undeniable fact that Pakistan has no cheaper and safer option than getting the Iranian gas."

It stressed that the laying of the pipeline on Pakistan's side must be taken up immediately, since Iran has already constructed its part of the pipeline.

"Any effort to undo this vital project would be a criminal act against national interests."