Ahead of Sharif’s trip to US, Pak says no nuke deal talks

Pakistan’s foreign office has clarified that the US and Pakistan would not discuss any nuclear deal, “nor has the US made any demands on Pakistan”.

Pakistan’s foreign office has clarified that the US and Pakistan would not discuss any nuclear deal, “nor has the US made any demands on Pakistan”.

Pakistan’s foreign office has clarified that the US and Islamabad would not discuss any nuclear deal during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit. The clarification came ahead of Prime Minister Sharif’s(L) visit to the US at the invitation of US President Barack Obama(R). (Agencies)

The clarification came ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the US at the invitation of US President Barack Obama. The clarification came in response to the speculation that US and Pakistan were examining the possibility of a nuclear deal under which the US is trying to put limits on Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.

Foreign office spokesperson said in response to a question regarding certain comments and articles appearing in the media about the PM’s visit to Washington, that “many of them appear to be an attempt to confuse the readers and generate controversy, where there is none, on issues of national importance”.

“In any case, history is a testimony to the fact that PM Sharif accepts no demand from any state. He firmly believes in policies directed at preserving, protecting and promoting Pakistan’s national interests,” he said.

In a related statement issued ahead of the visit, Sharif said on Sunday that Pakistan is a responsible sovereign nuclear state and its strategic assets are secured under a fool proof arrangement. “Pakistan’s nuclear status is deterrence against any external aggression,” Sharif said.

Read: Reported US-Pak nuclear deal not like the one with India

India voices concern over reports of US-Pak nuclear deal