Pak not to sign NPT, CTBT sans India: PM Aziz

Islamabad, Apr 26: Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said his country cannot unilaterally sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT) or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty(CTBT) because it neighbours another nuclear state.

He recalled while talking to a Russian media delegation here last evening that Pakistan's nuclear tests were conducted in response to the tests conducted in the region by India.

On the ongoing composite dialogue process between the two neighbours, he said both countries were currently engaged in a dialogue to resolve their disputes, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

"There has been improvement along the Line of Control but there are still human rights violations in Kashmir that are troubling Pakistan and the world," an official statement quoted him as saying.

About US-Iran nuclear standoff, he said it should be resolved in a peaceful manner, adding that Russia could play an important part in finding an amicable solution.

He said Pakistan was against the use of force against Iran and would not extend any support in this regard as that could prove disastrous for the region. He said Pakistan believes Iran should not proliferate and abide by IAEA rules and regulations.

Aziz said Russia, as a global power, had an an important role to play in promoting peace and stability in the world.

UNI