KARACHI, April 13: Information Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad on Saturday invited the opposition to the negotiation table, saying that the government was ready to hold dialogue with opposition on any issue which was in the national interest.

He said certain elements in opposition were behaving irresponsibly by criticising government’s policy on Iraq.

He was speaking at a symposium on “Universalization and Role of Media”, at a local hotel.

President Musharraf took decisions in the larger interest of the country and keeping in view the demands of the international situation, he said, adding Pakistan adopted a successful policy on Iraq and it had been appreciated by Germany, France, China and many other countries.

He said opposition was behaving irresponsibly by demanding closure of embassies of the United States and Britain. He urged them to show maturity.

He criticised the opposition for staging protests like ‘million march’ in support of Saddam Hussain, who he said attacked Iran, occupied Kuwait and harmed the interests of the Islamic world.

Pakistan had made it clear to the United States that it would not help the US in attacking any Muslim country, he reminded the audience.

“We did not provide a shoulder to USA. Nor we provided water, petrol or any logistic support. But if you ask us to go and fight against USA in Iraq, we cannot do it. Because we are not foolish”, the minister said.

Sheikh Rashid said we are all Muslims and ready to scarify our lives for Islam.

The minister said only a strong economy could place Pakistan in a position to formulate a truly independent foreign policy.

He warned that India would not spare any opportunity to destabilise Pakistan, if it felt that Pakistan was becoming weaker.

He said that India could have created enormous problems for Pakistan at international level after Sep 11, Afghan War and Iraq War, had the government taken incorrect decisions in the past.

Kashmir issue can be resolved if Islamic countries decided to stop importing Indian labour, he said.

“The fast changing situation in the region calls that we should be united and stabilized. Opposition should come and talk to us. We are ready for talks on every issue which is in the national interest and can further strengthen the government”, the minister said.

Former interior minister Moinuddin Haider, Mehmood Sham, Arshad Sabri, Rasool Ahmed Karimi, Raghib Murad Abadi and Mufti Munibur Rehman also spoke at the seminar.—APP