Sulking over the Indo-US nuclear deal, Pakistan on Monday asserted it would not accept any "discrimination" in the supply of technology to generate atomic power and said Washington should have worked out a "package deal" for South Asia to ensure stability in the region.
"It would have been better for the US to work out a package deal that took care of the security and stability concerns in South Asia international, non-proliferation efforts as well as energy needs of Pakistan and India," Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told reporters in Islamabad.
"We repeatedly said this deal is not helpful to the stability in South Asia and to the international non proliferation efforts," she said.
Asked about what alternatives Pakistan had, she said, "We have had discussion with the NSG. Yes, we are exploring various options but will not get into details. Discrimination is not acceptable to Pakistan," she said.
She later clarified that Pakistan has not held talks with NSG after India-US struck the deal. Replying to a question, Aslam said Pakistan could consider separating its civilian and nuclear weapons programme if such a deal was extended to it.
"India has not done it yet. That is something we would consider when we come to it. But our civilian nuclear facilities are already under safeguards," she said.
On the delay in coming out with a statement on the deal, Aslam said Pakistan needed to study the 'waiver' language contained in the Bill presented to US Congress. "On the very day (when the Bill presented to Congress) we issued the statement. There obviously is the link and logic behind the timing," she said.
She denied that the statement was aimed at influencing US Congress. "We expect the US Congress to go by its own laws and regulation. We are not trying to influence the US Congress," she said.
Aslam also said Pakistan has also proposed nuclear power parks to be operated by foreign companies. "Regardless of India, Pakistan has its own interest in acquiring nuclear power generation facilities. Our existing power generation facilities are under IAEA safeguards and we a ready to put our future facilities under safeguards as well as the return of fuel that may be supplied."
