By KUNA,
Cairo : Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is necessary to secure the country’s borders and face terrorism, said Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
The premier, in remarks published by the Egyptian daily, “Al-Akhbar,” on Sunday, said Pakistan possesses the right to adopt a “special nuclear perspective at the local and international levels,” noting that Pakistan’s nuclear program “guarantees its security and renders it capable of protecting its borders vis-a-vis terrorist threats.” Pakistan plays a major role in facing terrorism as a result of its strategic location, neighboring Afghanistan, he said. “We have accepted this role and we have insisted on combating this catastrophe with all its forms,” Gilani added.
He affirmed that Islamabad favored dialogue to resolve issues of dissession with neighboring India.
Gilani affirmed that political conditions at home were quite critical, following assassination of the top opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, adding that his relationship with the president, General Pervez Musharraf, is governed by the National Constitution.
His remarks coincided with calls by leaders of the ruling coalition at home to clip powers of the president.