ISLAMABAD, June 17: Pakistan on Thursday welcomed a decision by US President George W. Bush to make it a "major non-NATO ally" in recognition of policies adopted by President Pervez Musharraf.

"It is the success of the country's foreign policy," Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said. Mr Rashid said Pakistan would be able to acquire defence equipment that was not previously available to it.

A foreign office spokesman Masood Khan told a private television that it was a good decision, adds APP. To a question he dispelled the impression that Pakistan had agreed to send troops to Iraq. However, he added that there was no change in Pakistan's policy on sending troops to Iraq.