• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Japanese ambassador appreciates PMs perceptions

ISLAMABAD, June 4 (APP)- Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif Wednesday said that the Indian nuclear explosion had created serious threat to the security of the country and therefore Pakistan had no choice, but to rectify the strategic imbalance. The Prime Minister said this while talking to the Japanese ambassador to Pakistan Minoru Kubota who called on him today. The Prime Minister apprised him in detail of the grave situation created by India's nuclear tests and aggressive statements by its leaders. Nawaz Sharif expressed his dismay that India did not appreciate his peace initiatives and instead responded with nuclear tests. The Japanese ambassador said that he was going home for consultation and before leaving wanted to avail this opportunity to ascertain first hand perceptions of the Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif of regional situation following the nuclear tests. The Ambassador, appreciating Prime Minister's perceptions, said that he would convey it to the Japanese Prime Minister who would surely understand Pakistan's position.

Detonation of nuke devices, a very painful decision: Premier Nawaz

ISLAMABAD, June 4 (APP): Prime Minster, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan was compelled to make the nuclear test and that for him it was a very painful decision. In an interview published by US Magazine Time in its latest issue, he said his reaction was determined by the interests of Pakistan. He said what finally convinced him to act were provocative statements by the Indian leadership against Pakistan. The Prime Minister said the nuclear tests by India were unnecessary and he was personally let down by the Indians." We were going on the path of negotiation, and they responded by carrying out these tests" he added. He said he conducted the tests because the pressure was irresistible at home." It was mounting on the government every day, every hour" he said adding that the outside world is not aware of the emotional feelings of the people of this region. He said he had been holding on and exercising utmost restraint." But we were disappointed that the world community really failed to take a strong reaction against India" he added.

Pakistan welcomes Clinton's mediation offer

ISLAMABAD, Jun 4 (APP):- Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed US President Bill Clinton's mediation offer to help resolve differences between Islamabad and New Delhi. A Foreign Office Spokesman, welcoming the offer, said Pakistan is ready to cooperate with all such efforts. "Kashmir is the core issue and the root-cause of tension in the region, we are ready to cooperate with all such efforts," Spokesman Tariq Altaf told APP. President Clinton, speaking to reporters in the White House, had said America wants "to very much work with both India and Pakistan to help them resolve their differences and restore future of hope, not fear, to the region". Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who Thursday attends a meeting of the five nuclear powers in Geneva, also urged the two countries to resolve their disputes including Kashmir. "Our long- term goal is to avert a regional arms race and to re- examine options for easing the underlying political problems between India and Pakistan including Kashmir," she told journalists at the White House.

Pakistan not to impose unnecessary restrictions: Sartaj

ISLAMABAD June 4 (APP): Finance Minister Sartaj Aziz said on Wednesday that Pakistan will maintain its liberal policy framework and not impose unnecessary restrictions on imports, remittances of dividends and other commercial transactions. He was asked by CNN as to how the country would combat the sanctions. "We have also taken steps to revive confidence in the stock market because uncertainty is never good for the stock market," he added. "We are also taking medium term steps in the budget," to offset the effects of the sanctions. The only restriction that the government has imposed is that dollar accounts are being operated in rupees. The country is facing a likely shortfall of about one and a half billion dollars out of three billion dollars of foreign assistance, equivalent to some 12 percent of our imports. "So we are taking steps either to arrange alternative financing or to reduce some of our unessential imports," to generate foreign exchange. The country is also raising its revenue target to accomodate a similar cut on the rupee budget, he added.

Pakistan assumes new dimension on world map after nuclear tests: Mushahid

ISLAMABAD, June 4 (APP): Federal Information Minister, Mushahid Hussain Syed has said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has proved that decisions regarding integrity of Pakistan would be made by Pakistanis themselves. The Information Minister made these observations at the inaugural session of the General Managers Conference here at PTV Headquarters Wednesday. Mushahid said that after conducting nuclear tests Pakistan has emerged on the world map with a new dimension.The whole world, he said, has its eyes on Pakistan, it was therfore, duty of Pakistan Television to highlight Pakistan. He said PTV played a historic role during the crucial days of nuclear blasts and the programmes telecast by it were specially appreciated by the public. Lauding the performance of PTV administration he said,it is in this way that the ideology of Pakistan can be highlighted the world over. He pointed out that PTV was starting a new channel in connection with the PTV World.

Three billion dollar not withdrawn from banks: Sartaj

ISLAMABAD, June 4 (APP) -Finance Minister and Secretary General of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Senator Sartaj Aziz said on Wednesday the report about the withdrawal of dollar three billion from the banks was completely false. The Finance Minister in a statement expressed his surprise over the allegation levelled by Awami National Party (ANP) Deputy Secretary General Senator Qazi Muhammad Anwar about the withdrawal of money. The ANP leader had alleged that dollar three billion were withdrawn from the banks. Sartaj Aziz said this could not be true as the reserves during the last ten days of May were dollar 1.25 to 1.4 billion. The ANP leader, therefore, had levelled an allegation without verifying the facts. The Finance Minister said no major change occured in the level of reserves before and after May 28 and this also amply showed the allegation levelled by the ANP leader was totally baseless. He advised the leaders to verify facts before levelling of allegations.

Albright urges Pakistan, India to resolve Kashmir dispute

ISLAMABAD, Jun 4 (APP): US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Wednesday urged Pakistan and India to seek a negotiated settlement of Kashmir dispute- the underlying political problem. Albright, who attends a meeting of five nuclear powers at Geneva on Thursday, also called upon the two countries to sign the CTBT immediately and without conditions. "Our second longer term goal is to avert a regional arms race and to re-examine options for easing the underlying political problems between India and Pakistan including Kashmir," she said on the eve of her departure for Geneva. Her address, after President Clinton's address during which he also called upon India and Pakistan to resolve their differences, was telecast live by the CNN from the White House. The Secretary of State underlined that the two countries should cool down the situation. Albright feared a precarious situation in South Asia in the wake of nuclear tests by the two countries.

Pakistan formally welcomes Japan's mediation offer

ISLAMABAD, Jun 4 (APP): Pakistan has formally welcomed the Japanese proposal to host a meeting between Pakistan and India on the Kashmir issue. The Japanese Foreign Minister had on Monday said in the Japanese Parliament that "Kashmir problem is behind the nuclear tests". He had also said that "it would be desirable if we can invite the countries concerned to Tokyo and find a clue to solving the years-long dispute". Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmad told the Japanese Ambassador at the Foreign Office here Wednesday that Pakistan appreciates that Japan has taken the lead and focused on the root-cause of tensions and the necessity to find a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute which alone can promote peace and stability in South Asia. The Foreign Secretary told the Ambassador that Pakistan is ready to fully cooperate with Japan as well as with P5, G8 and the entire international community to constructively engage in the dialogue as a part of the process to find a solution of the basic problem which is the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The Japanese Ambassador was asked to communicate Pakistan's acceptance to Tokyo.

Homecoming tours package for overseas Pakistanis approved

ISLAMABAD, Jun 4 (APP): Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) has approved sponsored 'Homecoming Tours' package which is aimed at promoting domestic tourism as well as motivating Overseas Pakistanis to visit their homeland. The approval was granted unanimously in a meeting held at PTDC Head Office under the chairmanship of Secretary, Culture, Sports, Tourism & Youth Affairs, Syed Roshan Zamir here Wednesday. Senior officials of PTDC, Ministry of Tourism, PIA, Overseas Pakistan Foundation and representatives of major hotel chains, all Pakistan Hotels Association and leading tour operators were also present in the meeting. Managing director PTDC, Imtiaz A. Syed gave a detailed briefing of the package and about role of the national carrier PIA for making the project a real success. The meeting decided at the launching stage overseas Pakistanis living in North America and Europe would be targeted and it would be extended to other areas at a later stage. It was also decided that a separate meeting will be held with PIA to sort out the modalities regarding the issuance of coupon offering 2-night stay to every overseas Pakistani visiting Pakistan provided he buys 2 night stay in any PTDC hotel or motel.