LAHORE, March 12: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said there is no pressure on the country to roll back its nuclear programme.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the second convocation of the Government College University on Friday.

Answering a question that whether Pakistan was considering signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he said there was no pressure on the country's nuclear programme or to sign the NPT.

About US Secretary of State Colin Powell's statement that the pardon extended to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan could be withdrawn, he said: "We, and not the Americans, are Dr Khan's custodians."

Answering a question about frequent visits by US officials, Mr Jamali said Pakistan was part of the comity of nations and could not close its doors. He said people did come from other countries and he himself, the president and ministers visited other countries.

About the India, Pakistan cricket series, he said: "Let them (players) play the game for the sake of the game. My prayers are with them."

Speaking to newsmen earlier in the day, Mr Jamali rejected ARD's demand for a national government.

The prime minister said he had felt the need for a national government when Ms Benazir Bhutto became prime minister in 1988 and advised her to do so, but she refused.

Again, the premier said, he had given the same advice to Nawaz Sharif, but he too refused. "The present coalition government is in fact a national government. And (in its presence) what else we can give (to the opposition)," he said.

In reply to a question about allegations that the government was behind efforts to divide the PPP, he said right now there was no need to do this. "The government did not create a rift in the PPP even when it required votes during its formation."

"People want solution of their problems and are tired of a meaningless opposition. Opposition legislators too are accountable for their voters and if they take dictation (from their masters abroad), they will indulge only in opposition for the sake of opposition," the prime minister said.

Asked if steps were taken to provide relief to the people with regard to poverty, inflation and the law and order, he said only God could eliminate poverty, but considering it as a duty, the government had been sincerely making sincere efforts to alleviate poverty.