ISLAMABAD, July 7: Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal has said that the decision to send troops to Iraq has not been made.

Replying to a question before attending the joint parliamentary meeting of Pakistan Muslim League-Q and its allied parties here on Monday he said: “This is very clear that there is no decision to send troops to Iraq; however, the matter is under consideration.”

He added: “We will approach the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and other Islamic countries before taking the final decision. It is a very important decision and we cannot take it without the consent of Islamic countries.”

The minister made it clear that the troops would be sent to Iraq only to assist and serve their Iraqi brethren.

Replying to another question about reported allegations made by opposition regarding the roll back of the country’s nuclear programme he said: “How can we compromise on our prime national interests?”— APP