ISLAMABAD, May 4: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday that South Asia could be denuclearized, mutually by India and Pakistan, if the Kashmir dispute was resolved and there was peace and security in the region.

“We have been saying that if there is no problem to our security, Pakistan and India can move to mutual reduction of forces and have a no-war pact — this has been our stand,” he said in an interview telecast by a television channel.

Replying to a question, he said Iraqis should govern themselves and early establishment of a government acceptable to all would be better for stability. “Pakistan’s stand is that sovereignty and integrity of Iraq must be guaranteed and Iraqis should govern themselves,” he said.

“The sooner they hand over the government to the Iraqis and establish an acceptable government, the quicker the situation in that country will improve,” he said. He said reconstruction and humanitarian efforts should be emphasized.

He said Pakistan’s relationship with Iran should not be related to Tehran’s ties with India.

He said Washington appreciated Pakistan’s commitment in the fight against terrorism.

He said the recent visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai had positive results and the countries have enhanced trade ties.He asserted that Pakistan had no nuclear links with North Korea.

Replying to a question, he said Pakistan was a moderate, dynamic and progressive Islamic country, “so why would anyone attack it.” He said Pakistan could not become a target as it had a great geostrategic significance, it was an important member of the Muslim world and a powerful country of 140 million people.

He said the NSC provided institutional checks on the president, the prime minister and the army chief and staved off the possibility of martial law.

Replying to a question, he said: “Not a single Pakistani has been handed over to the US.”—APP