Pakistan not to sign NPT as non-nuclear State: FO
By Maria A Khan - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has once again made it clear that it would not join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state.

Replying to questions at the weekly news briefing Monday afternoon, Foreign Office spokesman Jalil Abbas Jillani said Pakistan conveyed to the Japanese Prime Minister that its nuclear capability is indispensable for the country’s security.

He said Pakistan, however, shares the goals of nuclear non-proliferation and Japanese Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the kind of steps taken by Islamabad for the purpose.

To a question he said there is absolutely no change in Pakistan’s principled position on Jammu and Kashmir dispute which has to be resolved in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Syed Ali Gillani

Asked to comment on apprehensions expressed by APHC Chairman Syed Ali Gillani about threats to his life, the spokesman said Mr Gillani has made tremendous efforts for resolution of Kashmir dispute and Pakistan prays him long life.

The spokesman told a questioner that the UN Military Observers group in India and Pakistan is performing extremely useful purpose of monitoring the situation on the Line of Control under a mandate of the Security Council. He said the Group should remain there till resolution of the dispute.

Talks on Siachen

Replying to a question, he said Siachen issue should be resolved in accordance with the 1989 agreement signed by the Defence Secretaries of Pakistan and India.

He said as per understanding reached during the recent visit of the President to India, the two countries would hold talks on Siachen on 25th and 26th and on Sir Creek on 27th and 28th of this month.

About Baglihar dam dispute, he said the World Bank has proposed a penal of experts and both Pakistan and India are reviewing the panel. A response has to go to the World Bank by 9th of this month and in case of non-agreement between the two countries on the names, the same exercise would be repeated.

The third time the Bank would nominate an expert on its own for arbitration. He said an Indian team is coming to Pakistan on 7th of this month for discussions on Kishan Ganga water project, which is being constructed by India in violation of the Indus Basin Treaty.

Asked about Indian military expercises to be held in Jallandhar, he said Pakistan has no concerns if these are held within the parameters of 1991 agreement between the two countries.

To a question about expansion of UN Security Council, the spokesman said Pakistan wants a consensus on reforms and is against creation of new centres of privileges.●