Islamabad, Aug 05: Asserting that Kashmir problem cannot be sidelined as it is too important an issue, President Pervez Musharraf has said that there was no pressure on Pakistan to abandon "Kashmir interests". During an interaction with editors and columnists in Lahore yesterday, Musharraf also said Pakistan's nuclear deterrence was in place and under no circumstances it would be undermined or compromised. "We want durable peace in the region and this cannot happen without the resolution of Kashmir issue. There is no pressure on us to abandon our core nuclear and Kashmir interests," he said. About Kashmir, he said it was too important an issue to be sidelined. The President said under no circumstances Pakistan's deterrence would be compromised or undermined. "Let no one mistake about our capacity to defend our homeland," he said.
On sending troops to Iraq, Musharraf said Pakistan would only send troops to Iraq if the people of that country wanted Islamabad to do so.
"We will send our troops not for extension of Iraq's occupation. They will be sent to benefit the Iraqi people. In this connection there is no pressure whatsoever. We were asked to send troops and we agreed in principle," he said.
He said troops would be send to Iraq either under the umbrella of the UN Organisation of Islamic Conference or any other world mechanism and not otherwise.
"There is no hurry on our part and we would wait till such a request is received," he added.
Bureau Report