WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan’s nuclear program is a deterrence against foreign aggression and it will never be compromised.
Talking to media representatives in London hours before was due to leave for Washington, the prime minister expressed hope that his visit to the United States will provide an opportunity to further upgrade Pakistan-US relations to a long-term and enduring partnership.
The prime minister will stay in the United States for four days during which he will have direct conversations with top US leadership including President Barack Obama.
Sharif said that the Pakistan-US partnership will not only benefit of the people of both the countries but also go a long way for the promotion of peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, talking to newsmen in Washington ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s official visit to the United States beginning today, the Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has urged the Obama administration to play its role to ensure strategic stability in South Asia and resolving the core issue of Kashmir.
“Pakistan wants to have good and peaceful ties with its neighbors including India, and for this purpose Prime Minister also went to New Delhi but no positive response was received from India,” Chaudhry said according to Radio Pakistan.
The foreign secretary also made it clear that Pakistan’s nuclear program is aimed at deterring any aggression from India and we will never compromise our national security interests.
Chaudhry also categorically ruled out possibility of any deal with the United States on nuclear program.
Moreover, he told media that the prime minister during his stay in US has a busy schedule in which he will have important meetings with US leaders.
“Pakistan and the United States have multi-dimensional ties and their cooperation in trade, energy, defence, counter-terrorism and education is on the rise,” he added.