ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: President Pervez Musharraf said on Wednesday that investigations into illicit nuclear transfers to North Korea had not yet concluded and Pakistan would share with Japan the results of investigations once they were finished.

Talking to Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Ichiro Fujisaki, who called on him here at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, the president said Pakistan was fully aware of, and respected Japanese concerns about the dangers of nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"It was inconceivable that Pakistan would do anything that would affect the peace and security of Northeast Asia and especially of Japan." The president said: "Investigations with regard to illicit transfers to North Korea have not yet concluded. Pakistan will share with Japan the results of its internal investigations on any illegal transfers to North Korea when the investigations were completed."

The president stated that as a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan was committed to the goal of nuclear non-proliferation. "Pakistan has taken effective steps to safeguard its nuclear assets and facilities which are now under the National Command Authority," he said.

Gen Musharraf said reports of collusion between a few scientists with the global nuclear underworld were being investigated. "As a responsible state committed to non-proliferation, Pakistan has exposed the complicity of a few individuals with the nuclear blackmarket and is taking appropriate action against them."

The Japanese deputy foreign minister conveyed to the president greetings and good wishes of Prime Minister Koizumi and exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues as well as on matters relating to nuclear non-proliferation.

The president reciprocated the message of good wishes and greetings from Prime Minister Koizumi. He thanked Japan for providing valuable economic and technical assistance to Pakistan and detailed Pakistan's perspective on promoting peace and security in South Asia and the Middle East and stability in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Japanese minister is visiting Islamabad for a high-level economic policy dialogue, the initiation of which was agreed upon during the president's visit to Tokyo in March, 2002. -APP