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Pakistan to test series of ballistic missiles soon - spokesman

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 3, IRNA -- Pakistan Wednesday announced the testing 
of its series of ballistic missiles Shaheen `soon` as part of 
President General Pervez Musharraf`s recent announcement that 
Islamabad will continue improving its strategic arms for self defense.
"The schedule to test series of Shaheen missile has been finalized
and soon it would be tested," Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan 
told a weekly news briefing held in the ministry. 
The spokesman however denied sharing further details and dates of 
these tests saying, `soon you all would know about the tests`. 
Replying the questions about Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, revered as 
father of Pakistan`s nuclear bomb, the spokesman said, "As you all 
know, his pardon is conditional. So I have nothing more to share with 
you." 
Asked about the status of investigation from the detained nuclear 
scientists and other officials of Kahuta Research Laboratories, the 
spokesman said, "The investigation related to proliferation is going 
on. 
"Some concerns have been raised by the US senators on the issue 
however, the US Secretary of State Colin Powell has clarified the 
position saying it is an internal matter of Pakistan." 
Asked when Pakistan and India would hold talks on nuclear 
confidence-building measures, Masood Khan said, "In May this year both
the countries are holding talks on nuclear CBMs." 
He, however like his previous briefings, declined to share what 
would be those CBMs and what does it mean. 
India and Pakistan from the last many years exchanged lists of 
their nuclear facilities as part of their agreement not to attack 
these facilities even during the war. 
The CBMs on nuclear arms is a new phenomenon being discussed by 
both the countries during the last month talks held in Islamabad 
between the two countries. 
Replying the volley of questions on the operation in the tribal 
areas and if there is any joint operation of Pakistani and US troops 
in these area to search Osama bin Laden, the spokesman said, 
"Pakistani forces are conducting operations against terrorists in 
South Waziristan agency and elsewhere, no foreign troops will be 
allowed to join these operations on Pakistani side." 
Replying to questions regarding dialogue on nuclear issue with the
international community, the spokesman said, "We have already been 
conducting dialogue on the issue. Besides, Pakistan is also engaged 
with India on nuclear and missiles issue." 
He said Pakistan will give its response to the proposal made by 
France to hold a summit on non-proliferation. 
To another question Masood Khan said Pakistan has conveyed its 
protest to India and has also kept informed UN Security Council on the
matter of fencing of LoC in Kashmir. 
"Peace is a challenge for Pakistan and India, and it is not an 
easy task. Both the countries need to take positive steps to promote 
the dialogue process between the two countries to resolve all 
outstanding issues, including Kashmir." 
On a question about India to join Security Council as its 
permanent member, he said Pakistan has always opposed this proposal as
`we do not want to create new power centers at the United Nations`. 
He said Pakistan strictly stands at NAM position that permanent 
members of the Security Council should not be increased however, 
non-permanent members should be increased. 
Masood Khan said that comprehensive investigation have been 
started into Tuesday`s Quetta incident which left more than 30 Shiites
killed. 
"There is evil mind behind these incidents and these actions are 
against Pakistan and Islam," he said adding that people of Pakistan 
are committed to repulse all dark designs of terrorists against 
Pakistan. 
TK/TSH/AH/210 
End