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Summary
Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit on Thursday said that the United States had assured to help in all possible ways to overcome its serious energy crisis. Abdul Basit addressing weekly news briefing said the recent Summit in Washington was not about sharing of nuclear technology for energy purposes but it was about nuclear security. He, however, said in the bilateral meetings on the sidelines of summit, the US assured Pakistan to help overcome its energy deficit. He said in the days and months ahead, the two countries would work closely on the issue of energy crisis and to find ways and means for resolving it. The spokesman said PM Yousaf Raza Gilani very actively participated in the deliberations of the Nuclear Security Conference.Replying to a question about Pakistans offer of nuclear refueling, Abdul Basit said Nuclear Security Summit helped reinforced Pakistans credentials as nuclear weapons state which was fully aware of its responsibilities. He said, Pakistan is playing an important role towards promoting and enhancing nuclear security as a whole. The spokesman said, Pakistan can also contribute significantly towards promoting peaceful uses of nuclear technology under relevant IAEA safeguards. He said, Pakistans offer should be seen in that context as we have expertise and experience in this area. The spokesman said Pakistan was developing a long term relationship with the US and that partnership was not against the interest of any other country. The partnership would help promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region, he added. Replying to a question about drone attacks, the spokesman said, we have been raising concerns with the US in this regard as these attacks are violating Pakistans sovereignty. He hoped that there would be resolution of this problem to Pakistans satisfaction. The spokesman said the United States had assured Pakistan to accelerate the legislation process of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones and hoped that efforts towards this would be stepped up. He said PM Gilani during his meeting with President Obama briefed him about Pakistans on-going operations in the FATA region. He also briefed about the importance of consolidating the successes by stepped-up reconstruction and development plans in this region. The spokesman said Pakistan was proceeding with these operations in accordance with its own plans. He said the government and people of Pakistan were determined to root out terrorism and militancy. Replaying to a question, he said,an IMF delegation is in Pakistan and holding talks. He hoped that at the end of their visit, there would be an understanding between Pakistan and IMF. He said Pakistans Mission in New York would get UN probe report into assassination of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto on Thursday. The Mission would make suitable arrangements to convey it to Pakistan as quickly as possible, he added. Replying to a question, the spokesman said PM Gilani and his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh shook hands and exchanged pleasantries on the occasion of Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. He said there was mutual warm in the handshake. He said as far as the meeting of two prime ministers in Bhutan was concerned, it had not yet been finalized. He said Pakistan was looking forward to a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue with India which was in the mutual interest and in the interest of the region. He said it was not a favour to Pakistan or India. Replying to a question about trial of culprits involved in Mumbai incident, he said, judicial process is going on in this regard.The spokesman said Pakistan had very strong relationship with France. He said all avenues were being exploited to further promote and strengthen these relations.
