March 31, 2003	Monday	Muharram 27, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

BEIJING, March 30: The war against Iraq, if it was not stopped immediately, could lead to serious consequences, said Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali.

He said it in an interview to China Central Television, which was telecast on its main channel (CCTV-I) on Sunday.

Reiterating Pakistan stance for a quick end to the US-led war on Iraq, Mr Jamali said it was against the doctrine of pre-emptive strike against other nations. “Pakistan from day one has been very clear in its policy. Pakistan will not support war against Iraq and we stick to that policy,” he added.

He emphasized that the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Arab League and the whole world should take effective steps ensuring restoration of peace as soon as possible. If the pre-emptive attack continued it would be a threat to whole of the world, he said, maintaining: “I think that is the common denominator that the war should end.”

“Every country should be allowed to live peacefully. Live and let live, should be the policy.” Pakistan, he added, would continue to plead for an effective role of the UN. He further said he believed the war lacked the authority of the UN and approval of the world community as a whole. The worldwide anti-war protests and demonstrations were clear evidence of it, he observed.

Mr Jamali asserted that the authority of the United Nations must be retained, rather its role be made more effective to ensure peace and stability.

Asked what could be the “genuine objective” or justification which forced US to impose war on Iraq, the prime minister said Washington had been following a policy chalked out by itself. “We are not part of their policy.

“Pakistan and China, expressing concern over Iraq crises, agreed that war should not prolong.” The two countries were concerned over humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq, he added.

To a question, he said Pakistan never “favoured” terrorism in any form, anywhere in the world, since it was a “victim of terrorism” itself. Pakistan, he said, would continue to support the global war on terror network.—APP