Pakistan not signing the NPT treaty

5/3/2005

Pakistan has repeated on Monday its refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Foreign Office spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani said that Pakistan’s nuclear capability was indispensable for the country’s security.

Pakistan conveyed its stand to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during his visit last week, the spokesman said, adding that Koizumi was satisfied with the steps taken by Islamabad for the purpose.

Following Pakistan's nuclear tests in the Chagai hills in 1998, Japan imposed sanctions and stopped yen loans to Islamabad, except for aid purpose.

But during Koizumi's visit last week, Japan resumed the loans and gave Pakistan a 16.4 billion yen worth loan.

According to Jilani, Pakistan hasn’t changed its position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which had to be resolved in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris.

Jilani also said that the UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan was monitoring the situation on the Line of Control under a mandate by the Security Council. He stressed the importance of the presence of the group till the dispute is solved.

And on Siachen issue, the spokesman said it should be resolved in accordance with the 1989 agreement signed by the defence secretaries of both countries.

During President Musharraf’s latest visit to India, both countries agreed that to hold talks on Siachen on the 25th and 26th and on Sir Creek on 27th and 28th of this month, Jilani said.

Asked about the Baglihar dam, Jilani said the World Bank had proposed a team of experts which Pakistan and India were reviewing.

“A response has to go to the World Bank by the 9th of this month and in case of disagreement between the two countries on the names, the same exercise would be repeated,” he said.

And about India's military exercises that is scheduled to be held in Jallundhar, Jilani said Pakistan had no concerns if they were carried out within the parameters of the 1991 agreement between both countries.