ISLAMABAD Pakistan's Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif and Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan, Mohammad Mehdi Akhundzadeh exchanged views on the current escalation of regional tension and detonation of underground nuclear test by India. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif considered the world reaction to nuclear test conducted by India not enough specifically from the Western quarters. Nawaz Sharif expressing his disappointment over mild Western reaction said that such an attitude has helped augment a perilous security threat against Pakistan. Pakistan's prime minister severely criticizing the policy of duplicity followed West specifically in the issues related to nuclear weapons, said, Under present circumstances, Pakistan is left with no altenative.

Nawaz Sharif thanking the Islamic Republic of Iran for its stance on India's nuclear test said, Iran is definitely capable of playing a prominent and effective role of annulling fears and tension in the region as the current chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Iranian ambassador said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has invariably warned the world of the policy of duplicity followed by West, particularly the United States of America. Akhundzadeh opined that all efforts needed to be concentrated in trying to bring the current perilous trend of growth in the region under control and prevent escalation of tension which will help eliminate the breeding of insecurity and instability in the region.

Present at this meeting were Pakistani information minister, and deputy foreign minister. The two parties also discussed Afghanistan crisis. (IRNA)