Pak will back Iran if attacked by US: FM

KASUR—Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has said that Pakistan is strictly opposed to any US attack on Iran and will stand by Tehran if this extreme step is taken by Washington. “Iranian foreign minister’s statement during his recent visit to Pakistan provides testimony to our policy towards Tehran. Pakistan aspires to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue according to the principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Kasuri said while talking to reporters in his hometown, Kasur.
Kasuri said that neglecting defence would be a suicide in the present scenario and Pakistan would acquire the latest technology and defence equipment at all costs to maintain a balance of power in the region. The deferred purchase of F-16s has started, as this was put on hold only for coping with the situation arising out of the October 8 earthquake, he said. The foreign minister said Pakistan has categorically told the United States that only the latest version of F-16s would be accepted and has also imposed the condition of transfer of technology.
Pointing out that India had signed agreements with Russia, the US and other countries to pile up weapons, Kasuri said this situation forced Pakistan to consider every option for its survival. Kasuri said Pakistan is examining the situation carefully and has taken many steps to counter any situation. The entry into the Asean and improvement in relations with the European Union are some of these steps, he said.
On the Kashmir issue, Kasuri said Pakistan has shown flexibility and her efforts made possible the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service, visits of Kashmiri leaders from both sides and opening of five points at the Line of Control for the relief of quake victims. “But all this is unilateral and Pakistan has made it clear to India that this was maximum we can do and Pakistan cannot go beyond this. India will have to soften its stand on Kashmir because this issue could be solved only through reciprocal process,” he said.
On the recent summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, Kasuri said inclusion of the Kashmir issue in the Makkah Declaration is the distinctive success of Pakistan and every Islamic country has backed Pakistan on this issue. Kasuri said Pakistan also submitted proposals in the conference to make the organisation viable for resolving all the issues confronting the Islamic countries.
All the proposals related to Kashmir, Palestine, steps to improve the economic condition of poor Islamic countries and promotion of science and technology have been included in the proposed draft of ten-year action plan approved by the Makkah Summit, Kasuri said. About Israel, Kasuri declared that Pakistan would not establish diplomatic contacts with Israel till it recognises Palestine as an independent state.—INP