Benazir's remarks on N-issue rejected

Published February 23, 2004

ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: Information Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed on Sunday said PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto's recent statement reflected the 'thoughts and aspirations of an enemy rather than a friend of Pakistan'.

Responding to Ms Bhutto's statement, he said the whole world was convinced that neither Pakistani government nor army was involved in nuclear proliferation but she was insisting on the allegation.

"The rhetoric by Benazir Bhutto reflects the desperation she is in due to the people-friendly policies of the present government and the way it protected the national assets," he said.

The minister regretted that instead of siding with the country on the most vital security issue, Ms Bhutto was 'passionately involved in the game of political point-scoring in her lust for power'.

He said she should be mindful of the fact that it was during her tenure when Pakistan's national interest was compromised and she ordered to roll-back nuclear programme. -APP

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