Pakistan is not envisaging any nuclear deal with the US during the current visit of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the insinuations spread in the media are baseless and unfounded. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry while addressing a briefing here categorically denied any chance of a nuclear deal with the US which will limit the development of Pakistan’s nuclear technology for civil or military purposes.
Briefing the Pakistani media on the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s three-day official visit to the US foreign secretary said violations of Line of Control and Working Boundary with India by the Indian armed forces will be raised with the US President as well as Pakistan would seek US support in helping to resolve the long standing Kashmir dispute with India. Chaudhry Aizaz said US and Pakistan both wish to have a safe and peaceful South Asia. Pakistan would try to engage US support for bringing our eastern neighbour to the table to discuss issues including Kashmir.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be arriving to a hectic schedule of three day visit to the US capitol on the invitation of the US President Barack Obama today (Tuesday).. His meeting with the President is scheduled to be held on October 22 at 11am at the White House. “A wide range of issues will be discussed including socio economic development, strategic situation, Afghanistan and India, the foreign secretary said.
To a question Mr. Chaudhry said Pakitan’s nuclear programme is not for waging a war against a particular country. Rather he said it is to stop the war. India is trying to create a space for war by its tactical moves like Cold Start and proactive strategy by moving its forces close to Pakistani borders. This has imbalanced the security situation. To set the situation right and deter any aggression Pakistan developed ‘low yield short range’ weapons.
Chaudhry said Pakistan wants relations with the US on the basis of self respect and mutual interest. He termed these relations long-standing but Pakistan now wished these relations to go beyond security and counter terrorism.
Besides a visit to the White House Prime Minister Sharif is expected to have a range of meetings with the US Secretary of Sate, Secretary of Energy and various members of Congress and US Senate who will be calling on him including Vice President Joe Biden.
