Thursday, April 26, 2007
Pakistan cannot sign CTBT because of neighbouring N-state: PM
* Aziz says peaceful Afghanistan could be beneficial for the region
* Russia invited to invest in IPI pipeline
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday said Pakistan could not unilaterally sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty because it neighboured another nuclear state.
Talking to a Russian media delegation at Prime Ministerâs House, he said Pakistanâs nuclear tests were conducted in response to the tests conducted in the region by India. He said both countries are currently engaged in a dialogue to resolve their disputes, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. He said President Gen Pervez Musharraf has presented proposals for a peaceful solution to the problem that would be acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris. He said there has been improvement along the Line of Control but there are still human rights violations in Indian-held Kashmir that are troubling for Pakistan and the world.
Referring to the Iran nuclear issue, the PM said it should be resolved in a peaceful manner and said 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.
Referring to Afghanistan, Aziz said a stable and developed Afghanistan would be beneficial for Pakistan and the region. He said the increasing drug production in the region was creating a haven for drug money and terrorists and could be very harmful. He said the world, and especially Russia, should come up with an alternate crop system to tackle the drug production issue. The PM said Pakistan has taken effective measures to control the movement of unwanted persons across the Pak-Afghan border. He said 80,000 troops had been deployed besides fencing at selected places. He said Pakistan still had 3 million Afghan refugees and wanted to send them back.
Aziz said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Russian and added that the recent visit of the Russian prime minister to Pakistan has opened new avenues of cooperation between the two countries. He said Pakistan and Russia have common views on regional and international issues and added that the two countries were cooperating to promote peace and development in the region. Referring to his talks with the Russian PM during his visit to Pakistan, Aziz said they discussed cooperation in energy, trade, investment and people-to-people contacts.
The prime minister said Russia, as a global power, could play an important role in promoting peace and stability in the world. He said the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where Russia and China are members while Pakistan is an observer, could play an important role in the development of diplomatic, defence, security, trade and energy cooperation.
The PM said Pakistanâs defence is based on minimum credible deterrence, as strong defence is necessary for peace. He said Pakistan, taking advantage of its location, could become an important country in the region for a âtrade corridorâ.
Aziz also briefed the Russian media about Pakistanâs economic development and added that the economic growth rate is over 7 percent while per capita income has increased to $845 dollars and could reach $1,000 next year. He said there has been a record amount of local and foreign investment. Foreign direct investment will be over $6 billion this year, he added. He said Pakistanâs economic policy is based on liberalisation, privatisation and de-regulation and there is no restriction on any country for investing in any sector. He said investment from Russian investors is welcome in all fields. He said Pakistan has even invited Russian investors for the India-Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project.
The prime minister said Pakistanâs media is free, the parliament is functioning and there is complete political freedom in the country. He said there is a very small minority in Pakistan with extremist views. He said Islam is a religion of peace and security, promoting interfaith harmony.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\26\story_26-4-2007_pg7_35
Pakistan cannot sign CTBT because of neighbouring N-state: PM
* Aziz says peaceful Afghanistan could be beneficial for the region
* Russia invited to invest in IPI pipeline
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday said Pakistan could not unilaterally sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty because it neighboured another nuclear state.
Talking to a Russian media delegation at Prime Ministerâs House, he said Pakistanâs nuclear tests were conducted in response to the tests conducted in the region by India. He said both countries are currently engaged in a dialogue to resolve their disputes, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. He said President Gen Pervez Musharraf has presented proposals for a peaceful solution to the problem that would be acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris. He said there has been improvement along the Line of Control but there are still human rights violations in Indian-held Kashmir that are troubling for Pakistan and the world.
Referring to the Iran nuclear issue, the PM said it should be resolved in a peaceful manner and said 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.
Referring to Afghanistan, Aziz said a stable and developed Afghanistan would be beneficial for Pakistan and the region. He said the increasing drug production in the region was creating a haven for drug money and terrorists and could be very harmful. He said the world, and especially Russia, should come up with an alternate crop system to tackle the drug production issue. The PM said Pakistan has taken effective measures to control the movement of unwanted persons across the Pak-Afghan border. He said 80,000 troops had been deployed besides fencing at selected places. He said Pakistan still had 3 million Afghan refugees and wanted to send them back.
Aziz said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Russian and added that the recent visit of the Russian prime minister to Pakistan has opened new avenues of cooperation between the two countries. He said Pakistan and Russia have common views on regional and international issues and added that the two countries were cooperating to promote peace and development in the region. Referring to his talks with the Russian PM during his visit to Pakistan, Aziz said they discussed cooperation in energy, trade, investment and people-to-people contacts.
The prime minister said Russia, as a global power, could play an important role in promoting peace and stability in the world. He said the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), where Russia and China are members while Pakistan is an observer, could play an important role in the development of diplomatic, defence, security, trade and energy cooperation.
The PM said Pakistanâs defence is based on minimum credible deterrence, as strong defence is necessary for peace. He said Pakistan, taking advantage of its location, could become an important country in the region for a âtrade corridorâ.
Aziz also briefed the Russian media about Pakistanâs economic development and added that the economic growth rate is over 7 percent while per capita income has increased to $845 dollars and could reach $1,000 next year. He said there has been a record amount of local and foreign investment. Foreign direct investment will be over $6 billion this year, he added. He said Pakistanâs economic policy is based on liberalisation, privatisation and de-regulation and there is no restriction on any country for investing in any sector. He said investment from Russian investors is welcome in all fields. He said Pakistan has even invited Russian investors for the India-Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project.
The prime minister said Pakistanâs media is free, the parliament is functioning and there is complete political freedom in the country. He said there is a very small minority in Pakistan with extremist views. He said Islam is a religion of peace and security, promoting interfaith harmony.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\26\story_26-4-2007_pg7_35
