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Pakistan self-reliant in its N-programme: Minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 29, IRNA
Pakistan-Nuclear Plan
Pakistan is self-reliant in its nuclear programme and does not need outside support in this context, said Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Tuesday.

The minister, who was answering questions in a state-run Pakistan Television programme, said that even if Pakistan's borders were closed, the country would not only continue the programme but also further it in a due course of time.

Kasuri made it clear that Pakistan exploded the nuclear devices not for attacking any country. "The programme is for the country's defence and security," the minister contended.

In reply to a question, the minister said that as many as 6,500 scientists and 55,000 technicians were engaged in the nuclear programme-related activities.

Kasuri said that there would be no scaling down of the nuclear programme: there will be furtherance in the same instead, he added.

The minister pointed out that Pakistan's nuclear capability was a deterrent in the face of India's nuclear explosions conducted in 1974 and 1998.

"Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state. It is in our interest that no nuclear proliferation takes place and this technology does not fall in the hands of others," the minister said.

Kasuri said that Pakistan would continue cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, but will not allow it to come here for investigation.

To a question about the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, the minister said that Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan's services for the nation are invaluable, adding the government on its own conducted an inquiry into allegations of proliferation under which he and some others were found involved in personal capacity.

However, the minister said that the country would not hand over the nuclear scientist to any other country or agency.

"Pakistan and US have their own interests to take care," was his response when asked was US Pakistan's trusted friend.

MHA/2326/1432
::IRNA No.023 29/03/2005 14:08 --End