RAWALPINDI, April 13: President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday underscored that Pakistan must have access to civil nuclear energy and looked forward to international cooperation in this regard.

Speaking to US Senator Chuck Hagel, who called on him, the president said that Pakistan’s expanding energy requirements would be met through a variety of sources, including nuclear power generation.

He outlined Pakistan’s views on the US-India nuclear agreement and said there were concerns about its implications for regional stability and security.

The president underlined the importance of a broad-based, long-term and mutually beneficial Pakistan-US relationship.

Senator Hagel said the US greatly valued its multifaceted cooperation with Pakistan.

The president said it was essential to fight the menace of terrorism through a multi-pronged strategy, which included a socio-economic approach. In this context, he highlighted the importance of the early establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones as had been agreed upon during President George Bush’s visit to Pakistan.

The situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border was also discussed.

KASURI: At a separate meeting with the US senator, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said Pakistan looked forward to international cooperation in nuclear power generation and was ready to accept necessary safeguards.—APP