Pakistan to maintain nuclear parity

Karachi, Aug 28: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri has said that his country will maintain ''nuclear parity" in South Asia at all costs, and no external pressure will be entertained in this regard.

''I want to make it clear that we will continue our nuclear programme, which is essential for meeting our energy requirements," said Kasuri while reviewing the last five years of the country's foreign policy at a press conference in Karachi.

Private news agency Online quoted Kasuri as saying that progress on the core issues of Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek was not up to Pakistan's expectations.

'' There is a dire need for progress on Kashmir. Back-channel contacts have been increased, but no final solution has been proposed so far." As soon as any final solution is proposed, it will be presented in parliament for debate and approval, he said. '' I want to make it clear that Pakistan will not accept any solution against the aspirations of Kashmiris," he added.

However, despite various hurdles, there was '' forward movement" in Indo-Pak relations, the foreign minister said. He said direct bilateral trade between India and Pakistan had increased from 220 million dollars five years ago to 1.6 billion dollars and added that the two governments had set a trade target of 10 billion dollars for the next two years.

Speaking on Iran, Kasuri said Pakistan had always called for a peaceful resolution to the rift between Iran and America. ''We have never supported any action or resolution against Iran as Pakistan opposes the use of force to resolve any issue," he said.

The foreign minister brushed aside impressions that Pakistan was being dictated to by the US. ''This is devoid of truth. I have facts and figures to prove my point. We have not followed the US line on several issues. We didn't support the US resolution on Iraq in the Security Council. We refused to send our troops to Iraq. And, we refused to support the US on Iran's nuclear issue." However, he added that a pragmatic approach was required. ''If our relations with the United States deteriorate, it will affect our stock exchange and many other things. Therefore, it is a matter of wisdom to have good relations with the world's sole super power." On relations with China, Kasuri said Pakistan would never compromise on this relationship. He said Pakistan had signed a free trade agreement and a five-year trade cooperation agreement with China. A joint stock exchange had also been formed, which would mean investment in different sectors in Pakistan, he added.

UNI