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Pakistan had to option but to conduct nuclear tests: Nawaz

ISLAMABAD, Jun 3 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said Pakistan was left with no option but to detonate its nuclear devices to offset the grave threat posed to its security by India's nuclear tests followed by its belligerent attitude on Kashmir issue. In a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Prime Minister said Islamabad had to,"take appropriate steps to restore the strategic balance and deter nuclear or conventional aggression." He apprised the Iranian official of the grave threat posed to Pakistan's security by Indian nuclear tests on May 11 and 13 and its subsequent threats of use of force to resolve the Kashmir issue, During the meeting, the Prime Minister laid a special emphasis on the expansion of bilateral trade and further deepening of mutual economic linkages. In this regard, the need for early finalization of the oil refinery and gas pipeline projects was stressed.

Pakistan's nuke to restore strategic balance in South Asia:Tarar

ISLAMABAD, Jun 3 (APP) : President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar Tuesday said Pakistan went nuclear to restore strategic balance in the region after overt weaponization of the Indian nuclear programme. Pakistan's very existence was at stake,Tarar told an award giving ceremony at the National Defence College(NDC) here. Pakistan decided "to exercise the nuclear option which was necessitated by imperatives of self-defence," he told both Pakistani and foreign participants who have successfully completed Masters in the national defence course and armed forces war course. NDC is a unique institution where senior Army, Navy,Air Force and Civil Services Officers alongwith those from friendly countries interact under one roof. The reckless attitude of Indian leadership is not only," a source of concern to us but it also carries grave implications for global peace and security." The participants from foreign countries included Egypt, France, Jordan, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkey United Arab Emirates and United States.

Dr. Qadeer Khan is pride of nation: Trarar

ISLAMABAD, Jun 3 (APP) : Dr. Qadeer Khan,"is pride of the nation," said President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar here Tuesday. These remarks were made by the President during an award giving ceremony at the National Defence College. The ceremony over,Dr. Qadeer was ringed by ladies at tea, as each one was eager to get his autograph. Dr.Qadeer, world famed nuclear scientist, gave his autographs with a smile writ large on his face. Qadeer is regarded the architect of Pakistan's nuclear programme. He had always said countgry's scientists would not disappoint the nation whenever their services were required. The real test came as India detonated nuclear devices on May 11 and 13. Pakistani scientists and engineers gave a befitting response by testing five nuclear devices on May 28 and one on May,30.

Govt to concentrate on all means for self-reliance: Sartaj

ISLAMABAD, Jun 3 (APP): Finance Minister Sartaj Aziz has said that the government will concentrate on all economic means to achieve the goal of self-reliance. "If we want to follow the self-reliance course, we will have concentrate on our agriculture that gives a base, will have to concentrate on small and medium-scale enterprises", said Sartaj Aziz in a television interview. While agreeing to the possibility that imposition of emergency, following the nuclear tests by Pakistan, may affect the private investment inflow, he said, "within 3 to 6 months when the sanctions are hopefully removed, the investment flow within this year will resume. "So the reduction of investment for three to six months or even for twelve months does not make a major impact on the economy", he added.

Pakistan to welcome third-party mediation on Kashmir: Gohar

ISLAMABAD, Jun 3 (APP): Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub said on Tuesday that Pakistan would welcome third-party mediation on Kashmir as reports suggested that United Nations and Japan had offered their good offices to help resolve the lingering dispute. "There is possibility of a visit of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to Pakistan with regard to the recent developments which had actually taken place due to non-resolution of Kashmir problem," Khan told APP. "Kashmir is the core issue," he asserted. He said Islamabad had been drawing the attention of world community particularly the major powers towards the Indian plans to induct nuclear weapons and belligerent attitude of its leadership. "Unfortunately, at the time it was not taken seriously." He said apprehensions of Pakistan had proven correct and Kashmir still remained the flashpoint at international arena. and, "any conflict can emerge from the flash point."

Cabinet discusses austerity, economy, self-reliance, productivity in various sectors

ISLAMABAD, Jun 3 (APP): The Federal Cabinet Tuesday discussed various measures for austerity, economy and self-reliance and increasing productivity and national income in various sectors. The cabinet met here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. In the light of Cabinet's deliberations, the specific policy measures would be announced by the Prime Minister soon. Taking note of the high growth rates in the Agriculture sector, the Cabinet decided that it should be further enhanced and maximum incentives should be provided to the farmers enabling them to play their national role in the nation-building process. It was decided, in principle, by the Cabinet to enhance agricultural credits as well as introduce modern technologies and farm mechanization in this regard. Specific measures in this regard would be announced by the Prime Minister soon in his speech on National Agenda.

Rich resources and national unity to help face present situation: Ehsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD, Jun 3 (APP): Pakistan, with its rich natural resources and present wave of national unity, is capable of facing economic sanctions, said Ehsan Iqbal Chief Coordinator Programme 2000. The Government fully backed by the people, can face the economic hardships after sanctions are slapped following six nuclear blasts by Pakistan last week. Besides Ehsan Iqbal, President Rawalpindi Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sohail Altaf and a journalist Lubna Ashraf also participated in the discussion, he said during a debate on Radio here Monday. Iqbal described situation arising out of nuclear explosions as a "wake up call for the nation." It will help in surmounting many problems like internal chaos, social ills and debt burden being faced by the country. There is an unprecedented spirit comparable with the enthusiasm seen during 1947.The new situation has given self-confidence and unity to the nation which could go a long way to end its dependence on others.

Pakistani nation can face sanctions easily: Dr Qadeer

ISLAMABAD, Jun 3 (APP): Pakistan's top Nuclear Scientist Dr. Qadeer Khan has said Pakistani nation can easily face the difficulties, arising in the wake of economic sanctions imposed on the country. "I am fully confident that Pakistani nation can easily face such type of difficulties. It would make no difference to us as all of us are already used to depend on one-day meal and we are also ready to face such a situation in the future", said Dr Qadeer Khan in an interview with Voice of America (VOA). "A poor person has always preferred to take onion and bread", he added. He said, "with the grace of Allah Almighty our country received a lot of rainfall and we have got a bumper wheat and cotton crops. So these economic sanctions would not affect us much", Dr Khan added.

Swiss court indicts agent of Benazir, Zardari, Nusrat

ISLAMABAD, Jun 3 (APP): The Ehtesab Bureau made a major breakthrough when Swiss Court Judge Daniel Davaud passed indictment orders at Geneva on Tuesday against Jens Schlegelmilch, a close confidante, frontman and agent of Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari and Nusrat Bhutto on Charges of corruption and money laundering in Switzerland. The Judge had also indicted earlier Hans Vischer, the representative of SGS, who was closely involved in corruption unleashed in Pakistan by Bhuttos in the Pre-shipment inspection scandal in Pakistan says a press release issued by the Ehtesab Bureau here. The Judge has further pronounced the indictment of Robert Massey the Managing Director of Cotecna who was working in close collaboration with SGGs and the Bhuttos causing huge loses to the national exchequer of Pakistan on the charges of money laundering in Switzerland. the judge also confirmed his intention to proceed with indictment of Asif Ali Zardari. Regarding former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, the judge intends to proceed with her indictment after checking whether she can benefit from Immunity.