Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan desires a similar nuclear deal with US as it has done with India. Responding to questions at the conclusion of his keynote address at the British Security think tank - International Institute for Strategic Studies - on Thursday afternoon, he said Indo-US nuclear agreement must not be discriminatory in nature.
25 July 2008: Business Recorder
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan desires a similar nuclear deal with US as it has done with India. Responding to questions at the conclusion of his keynote address at the British Security think tank - International Institute for Strategic Studies - on Thursday afternoon, he said Indo-US nuclear agreement must not be discriminatory in nature.
"Pakistan should be eligible for the same facility," he said citing country's growing energy requirements and needs. Answering another question, Qureshi said any infringement of Pakistan's territory on the western borders would be counter-productive. He said Pakistan's co-operation with Nato forces in Afghanistan remain positive.
Questioned about relations with India, he said these were growing steadily and the two countries have initiated a number of CBMs to further consolidate the ties. He said Pakistan was keen to develop economic and commercial ties with its eastern neighbour and in the recently announced Trade Policy, the government has unveiled a number of measures to increase trade items for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
On the reported purchase of agricultural lands by UAE in Pakistan, Qureshi clarified that the lands were being leased out to make them more productive through the use of modern technology. He said the corporate sector was being invited to cultivate these lands, but the main objective was to cater first to the domestic need and surplus food would be exported.
Responding to another question, he said the UK and other Western countries could help Pakistan by developing the tribal areas and bring about peace and prosperity to this deprived region. Qureshi said both Pakistan and UK enjoy excellent relations and Britain has increased its economic aid for the development of various socio-economic sectors. He said the gas pipeline from Iran to India through Pakistan would benefit all three countries and usher in a new era of prosperity.
