Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri on Thursday asked the world community to recognise the reality, and accept Pakistan and India as nuclear power states.
"Pakistan and India in particular and Israel to some extent, there is a known fact that they are recognised power," he said at a seminar on foreign policy, organised by the Pakistan Muslim League (PML).
The minister told a questioner this reality should be accepted if the purpose of the international attention was non-proliferation, and suggested that there should be some multilateral arrangements if the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was a hindrance in accepting Pakistan, India and Israel as nuclear powers.
"Some method should be found whether it is through the multilateral arrangements or any other method, if the NPT cannot be amended", he said.
PML Secretary General Salim Saifullah, in his opening remarks, highlighted the importance of foreign policy for a country which need to be debated. Health Minister Naseer Khan also attended the seminar.
Responding to a question, Kasuri said in line with its principled position, Pakistan was opposed to creating any more centres of privileges in the United Nations Security Council.
He said the present UNSC structure was built upon a situation that prevailed after the World War-II, but the ground realties today have now changed, adding it should now be ensured that UNSC structure represented the current reality.
The foreign minister said if there was a need for a regional representation in the UNSC, the regional group should nominate a country, which would then be aware of the fact it was representing a region.
Kasuri spoke in detail about the main planks of the country's foreign policy and the steps, the government was taking to ensure national security and sovereignty. On the country's nuclear programme, he said it was linked to the national security and, therefore, could not be compromised.
"Pakistan will never compromise on its nuclear capability, it will not roll back or freeze its nuclear programme. The nation should rest assured that the nuclear capability, which enjoys national consensus is in safe and professional hands.
Speaking on the issue of proliferation, Kasuri said the government has never proliferated, and will never proliferate, adding: "We are a responsible country, and we understand our obligations."
He said Pakistan has a very strong command and control system and very stringent export control regime, and no one should have any doubt about it.
Kasuri said Pakistan has responded positively to the evidence provided by IAEA with regard to nuclear programme of Iran, adding the difficult and bold decisions and actions by President Pervez Musharraf and the government of Pakistan have earned positive appreciation by the world and the IAEA, he added.
The foreign minister stressed that the resolution of the lingering Kashmir dispute was must for a durable peace in South Asia, that also take the aspirations of the Kashmiri people into consideration, adding it has now been accepted by all that war was no longer an option to resolve disputes, and the only way is through peaceful means.
The solution to the Kashmir dispute has to be found that was acceptable to all - Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people, he said.
Kasuri, however, said the need was to focus on the peace process that has been initiated by Pakistan and India, adding: "We (Pakistan) are serious and prepared to show flexibility, but it has to be reciprocal."
He hoped that the timeframe of talks between Pakistan and India would be faithfully honoured and implemented to achieve progress in the future talks, saying the talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries are expected in July/August this year.
On terrorism, the minister said Pakistan was fighting terrorism in its own interest, adding: "Terrorism in not in the interest of Pakistan, we are not doing any favour to the United States."
He referred to the recent mayhem at Quetta and said terrorism was causing destruction of national unity and must be eliminated. He, however, said, Pakistan believed in use of force alone would not suffice, if the objectives were to eliminate and not merely suppress terrorism.
"A comprehensive approach is required to deal with the matter," he said, adding: "If we are serious about combating terrorism we will also have to focus on the root causes of terrorism."
Kasuri cautioned that utmost care was needed to ensure the fight against terrorism did not turn into a rift between West and the world of Islam to avoid any serious repercussions for world peace and stability.
On Pak-US relations, he said relations with the United States were crucial for Pakistan, adding: "They impinge upon and influence Pakistan's security, its economic development as well as our image and standing particularly in the Western world."
He said after the September 11 attacks, Pakistan's decision to support international efforts in Afghanistan led to an upswing in their bilateral relations.
Speaking on the Pak-Sino ties, Kasuri said the strengthening of deep and abiding friendship with China continues to remain one of the fundamental goals of Pakistan's foreign policy.
"Pakistan has an enduring, multidimensional and deep-rooted relationship with China. The long-standing ties of friendship between the two countries are underpinned by mutual trust and confidence. A close identity of views and mutuality of interest remains the hallmark of bilateral ties", said Kasuri.
He said after President Musharraf's visit to Russia, a new chapter of bilateral ties has begun.
Kasuri said Pakistan fully supports the faithful implementation of the Bonn Process, and efforts of President Hamid Karzai for peace and stability in Afghanistan, adding: "A peaceful, stable and economically prosperous Afghanistan is in our own interest as it is vital for peace and stability in the region."
On Iraq, the foreign minister expressed Pakistan's concern over the law and order situation there, adding Pakistan would like a representative government installed in Baghdad as early as possible that should work towards the betterment of the Iraqi people.
"Pakistan welcomes all efforts aimed at expediting the process of transferring governance to the people of Iraq," he said.
He reiterated Pakistan's support to the people of Palestine to have an independent and viable Palestinian state, sayin this alone could lead to durable peace which is but comprehensive and just.
Kasuri also spoke at length Pakistan's relations with Iran, European Union, UK and Commonwealth, Japan, Korea, Asia Pacific countries and Gulf states.
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