Pakistan not entering nuclear deal with US: Sartaj Aziz
India has not responded positively on Pakistan's peace initiative for the region, says Fatemi
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Advisor to Prime Minister (PM) on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Sunday has said that Pakistan is not entering any deal with United States (US) and there would be no compromise over national security.
He expressed these views while talking to Dunya News chief national security correspondent, Wajahat S Khan in programme ‘Mahaz’.
Aziz said that Pakistan could only reach an understanding if its interest is safeguarded. He said that Pakistan would not compromise on national interest and security.
In a statement issued, the spokesperson has said, "No "deal" is being discussed between the two countries. Nor has the US made any demand on Pakistan. In any case, history is a testimony to the fact that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accepts no demand from any state. He firmly believes in policies directed at preserving, protecting and promoting Pakistan s national interests."
On the other hand, Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi said that all outstanding issues including Indian aggression would be raised in the four-day US visit. He thrashed India saying that the neighbor has not responded positively on Pakistan’s peace initiative for the region.
He vowed to expose India on international level during US visit.
Earlier, Aziz had put forth a rather solid stance and clearly barred US from sparking instability in South Asia. He said that US should refrain from creating strategic imbalance in the region. The statement surfaced after foreign media claimed that US will make Pakistan join Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
But, the joining is conditional as Pakistan would have to accept certain restrictions, the media reported.
It was revealed after US attack on Doctors Without Borders (MSF) installment in Afghanistan’s Kunduz that special analysts were tasked to collect intelligence over Pakistani operative’s possible coordination with Taliban.
In an interview with BBC Urdu, Aziz discarded the possibility that the alleged intelligence operation would impact talks with US.
He said that the world is aware of Pakistan’s activities and efforts to restore peace in the region.
He rejected reports regarding compromise over defense capabilities and said that PM Nawaz’s Washington visit aims at discussing nuclear safety. He cleared time and again that Pakistan could not compromise over national interest.
He hoped that Pakistan would be included in NSG however, the NSA said that US could retain desired ties with India. But, he said that US should not fan imbalance when Pakistan-India relations are quite tense.
While talking about peace process in Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan would not hesitate to play a mediator’s role after US has shown interest in talks with Afghanistan. Aziz said that Pakistan would welcome any US decision regarding peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He dwelled further on the US visit saying that the PM would discuss economic cooperation and trade enhancement besides nuclear talks. He said that investment opportunities would also be discussed along with other matters of mutual importance.
He responded to a question about role of US in India-Pakistan relations by saying that not just America but the world wants to see solution to problems through dialogue.
