Pak wants non-discriminatory treatment on N-deal

Islamabad, May 18: Pakistan has denied reports that it has written letters to members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) conveying its concerns over the India-US neclear deal.

''The reports are incorrect and Pakistan has written no such letters to the NSG members,'' Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam yesterday said.

Islamabad had conveyed its concerns in interaction with NSG states, she was quoted as saying by APP.

Suppliers Group (NSG) states, APP reported today.

Pakistan has its energy requirements and wants non-discriminatory treatment, she added.

''Our position is being maintained in interaction at all levels,'' the spokesperson added.

''The nuclear energy supplier group including the United States have no reasons to bar Pakistan from getting cooperation from abroad to feed its rapidly growing energy requirement, '' Ms Aslam added.

Meanwhile, Mr Talat Masood, an analyst in a telephonic interview to a private television channel said, Pakistan's economy was growing and it was imperative to expand the energy sources to sustain this scenario.

''There are countries in world which want to sell the nuclear energy plants and there is no harm if the developing countries like Pakistan purchase them,'' he said.

Besides, the United States has executed a deal with India in this connection and any bar on Pakistan would tantamount to be double standards on the part of developed nations, he added.

Pakistan is already running a nuclear power plant with Chinese cooperation.

UNI