Pakistan Rejects Reports of Nuclear Cooperation With Iran

February 25, 2003 - 0:0
ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Monday rejected as baseless American press reports that Pakistan was involved in the development of Iranian nuclear program.

Foreign Office Spokesman, Aziz Ahmed Khan categorically stated that no export of nuclear material or technology has ever taken place from Pakistan.

"Pakistan has excellent command and control structure of its strategic assets and reports to the contrary are baseless".

In reply to a question about Pakistan's stand in the UN Security Council over new resolution on Iraq, Aziz Ahmed Khan said the new resolution has not yet been circulated. "Pakistan will look at the resolution and decide."

He pointed out that Pakistan is in favor of peaceful resolution of Iraqi problem and full implementation of Security Council resolutions by Iraq, IRNA reported.

He rejected Indian Prime Minister's allegations of militants' infiltration into the Indian-controlled Kashmir and renewed offer for the deployment of neutral observers along the borders to verify the allegations.

The spokesman said that deployment of foreign observers along the Line of Control, which divides Pakistan and India in the disputed Kashmir region, would prove as to who is wrong and who is right.

"Pakistan has consistently been denying the Indian charges of infiltration," Khan said.

To a question he said Pakistan is regularly bringing to the notice of the international community the rise in Hindu fundamentalism in India adding that the rise was manifested in worst anti-Muslim riots in the Indian state of Gujarat.

To another question he said Pakistan acting high commissioner is expected to take up his assignment in New Delhi early next month.

Asked as to why India has been offered to join Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline project when it is refusing overland gas pipeline from Iran through Pakistan, the spokesman expressed the hope that good sense will prevail in that fuel starved country.

About the visit of the Foreign Secretary to China, he said it was part of regular consultations between the two countries. Riaz Khokhar discussed international situation, Iraqi crisis, Pakistan-India relations and bilateral relations with his Chinese counterpart.