March, 24 2005	Thursday	13 Safar 1426

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ISLAMABAD, March 23: The Foreign Office on Wednesday rejected BJP’s call for a punitive action against Pakistan by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the alleged transfer of nuclear technology to Iran and North Korea.

BJP leader and former external affairs minister Mr Yashwant Sinha at a function advocated the action against Islamabad by the IAEA for the alleged nuclear proliferation; it was reported in a section of the press on Wednesday.

“Mr Sinha’s statement is unwarranted if reported correctly,” said Foreign Office Spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani when Dawn contacted him for comments.

“The statement reflects a typical mindset which is reminiscent of the tense period in the Indo-Pak relations and it has no relevance to the present day reality,” the spokesman asserted, adding that the ties had now entered a new phase of engagement.

He categorically denied the charge that nuclear proliferation to Iran and North Korea could not have been possible without the government’s knowledge, active support and approval.

The spokesman reiterated that the Pakistani authorities had thoroughly investigated the matter and shared its findings with the IAEA, which had expressed satisfaction over the probe.

“Pakistan’s nuclear programme is a reality and the country has acquired excellence in the technology,” Mr Jilani declared.

Mr Sinha was reportedly critical of the IAEA as well as the US for ignoring Pakistan’s activities and Dr A. Q. Khan. He made these remarks at the launching of a book titled ‘Pakistan’s Nuclear Underworld: An Investigation’ published by the Observer Research Foundation.

The BJP leader’s remarks follow a string of fresh reports in the Western media about Dr A.Q. Khan’s nuclear black-market network and sales to Iran.

The comments come in the wake of reportedly mounting US pressure on Pakistan to provide direct access to Mr Khan to further investigate the matter. US secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice during her visit here last week conveyed to her hosts Washington’s concern in this regard in explicit terms. “We want to know how it all happened,” was her stern message.