Pakistan must have access to civil nuclear energy

Islamabad, Apr 14: Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has conveyed to US Senator Chuck Hagel his country's need to have access to civil nuclear energy and that he looks forward to international cooperation in this regard.

Speaking to the US Senator, who called on him here yesterday, General Musharraf said Pakistan's expanding energy requirements would be met through a variety of sources, including nuclear power generation.

He outlined his country's views on the US-India nuclear agreement and said there were concerns about its implications for regional stability and security.

The President also underlined the importance of a broad-based, long-term and mutually beneficial Pakistan-US relationship.

Senator Hagel, on his part, assured him that the US greatly valued its multifaceted cooperation with Pakistan.

Speaking on Pakistan-US counter-terror cooperation, the President said it was essential to fight the menace of terrorism through a multi-pronged strategy, which included a socio-economic approach.

The situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was also discussed.

At a separate meeting with the US senator, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said Pakistan looked forward to international cooperation in nuclear power generation and was ready to accept necessary safeguards.

UNI