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No decision behind closed doors - Kanju

ISLAMABAD, Sept 16 (APP): Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Siddique Khan Kanju on Tuesday categorically denied any "secret decision" on the CTBT reiterating that government would not sign the treaty under coercion. "We will not take any decision under duress, under coercion, or any pressure," Kanju told the joint sitting of the Parliament to discuss the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Kanju said, Pakistan is a peace-loving country and does not want to enter an arms race. Pakistan wants peace in the region. "We only want to safeguard our national interests," he said. Pakistan Muslim League, he said, is the one which struggled for the creation of Pakistan, "how can it be blamed to enter any secret deal. We cannot even think of doing such a thing." Siddique Khan Kanju said, in 1996, it was only the federal cabinet which knew about the CTBT and took the decision without seeking the consent of the nation. On the contrary, he said, our government decided to take the matter before the parliament so as to achieve a consensus thoroughly debate all its pros and cons.

Pakistan for tough bargaining before signing CTBT: Diplomatic Observers

ISLAMABAD, Sept 16 (APP):- Pakistan will sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty provided economic sanctions are eased and the underlying source of tension in South Asia is addressed in a meaningful way. Its minimum necessary nuclear deterrence is meant to defend itself because it is not involved in arms race, said diplomatic observers here Tuesday.. But Pakistan will never compromise its nuclear deterrence which is vital for its defence, they said. They say, at the same time, Pakistan wants to bride its gap with India in the conventional weapons which are required for its defence. Within the existing situation, they said, if Pakistan did not sign CTBT, economic sanctions will remain in place and its conventional weapons gap with India will further widen. Pakistan has already announced a moratorium on further nuclear tests, they said.Signing CTBT also stops a signatory from conducting more tests. Diplomatic observers were of the view that Pakistan will fully protect and preserve its nuclear capability.It will not sign NPT.They are not ready to accept the linkage theory that if Pakistan signs CTBT , it will have to sign NPT ad FMCT also.