Islamabad, July 03: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri has denied reports that the country has frozen its nuclear programme under US pressure. Kasuri said in a statement here that reports that the nuclear programme was capped are without foundation and assured that no compromise would be made on national security.
"Pakistan wants to live in peace with all its neighbours, which is only possible if a minimum deterrent remains in place since durable peace and security can only be based on sovereign equality," he said. Kasuri also regretted aspersions being cast over the recent visit of Pakistan Finance Minister Shoukat Aziz to the country's premier nuclear installation Kahurta Research Laboratories (KRL) before the visit of President Pervez Musharraf to United States.
Saying that Pakistan's nuclear programme was of a defensive nature, he claimed the country was forced to test its nuclear devices after India tested theirs. "After this Pakistan had no option but to restore the strategic balance," he said adding Islamabad would never compromise on its security and that its threat perceptions were not imaginary as it fought three wars with India.
He also added that in order to restore peace and stability in the subcontinent Pakistan recently announced major confidence building measures. Bureau Report