Pakistan expects same nuclear deal with US as with India: Gilani

Washington, July 30 : Visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan expects from United States a similar kind of nuclear deal that Washington has made with India.

"There should be no discrimination. If they want to give such nuclear status to India, we expect the same for Pakistan," Gilani said in a conversation with Richard N. Haass, the President of Council on Foreign Relations at a meeting jointly organized with the Middle East Institute here.

Gilani also spoke at length on a variety of issues, including terrorism and extremism, Pak-US relations, economy and the scope of democracy in the country.

He said his government wanted to have cordial relations with all neighbours, including India and Afghanistan, as this would ensure peace in Asia.

"With India, we want to resolve all issues, including the core issue of Kashmir," he said when asked about that relationship.

According to The News and the Dawn newspapers, Gilani also said that his government was striving for the autonomy of the Constitution and the independence of judiciary and added that only political reconciliation could help meet the several challenges before the administration.

Addressing the Pakistan community here, he said the government remained firm on its promise relating to the independence of judiciary.

He described Islam as a religion of peace and stressed on improving the image of Pakistan in the eyes of the world.

He urged the Pakistani community living in US to play their role in this regard.

Gilani also declared that he was opposed to any unilateral U.S. military attacks in Pakistan.

"We can do it ourselves," Gilani said Tuesday night after a speech.

He added, however, that Pakistan wanted better cooperation with the United States to share intelligence about foreign militants.

"We are not able to control them, and you are not able to control them," he said.

"We are fighting to save the soul of our homeland," he said.

Obama said at a fundraising luncheon Tuesday that he told Gilani in their meeting that "the only way we're going to be successful in the long term in defeating extremists ... is if we are giving people opportunities. If people have a chance for a better life, then they are not as likely to turn to the ideologies of violence and despair."

ANI