Nuclear non-proliferation sections in Kerry-Lugar Bill due to Qadeer, (!) says Assef.

ISLAMABAD/MARDAN, October 08, 2009 (Frontier Star): Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali has said that the United States has included sections of nuclear non- proliferation in the Kerry-Lugar Bill due to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. Participating in the ongoing debate on the Kerry-Lugar in the National Assembly here on Thursday, he said Dr Qadeer thought himself as a champion and guard of National but allegations were levelled against regarding smuggling of plans filled with nuclear weapons. "If we stop taking international aid and loans, then our economy will collapse in ten days", he pointed out and added that we should start back door diplomacy for deletion of controversial sections from the Kerry-Lugar Bill. "There is no patriotism in the statements of opposition members, " he added. PPP-S Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said the government should not make the issue as a question of prestige but keep national interests. He said the Kerry-Lugar Bill was first Biden-Lugar and Pakistan, and Pakistan was not consulted during its drafting, adding, the question arises here that "whether our lobbyists have failed or the United States has included these sections willingly/deliberately". According to him, it is necessary for the Parliament to compel the government not to accept the bill till ELIMINATION OF INSULTING CONDITIONS. Meanwhile, talking to reporters in Mardan, PML-Q NWFP Chief Amir Muqam said the United States want to make Pakistan US state and get access to its nuclear assets but every child is aware of the Bill, which would not be approved in any way. Praising the sacrifices of armed forces in Malakand Division, he said army has been ignored in the Bill. He said the US has given unconditional aid to Pakistan during Musharraf era and now it should also continue it. "The bill would not be accepted just because US will give 100 billion dollars aid, because it was the issue of Pakistan solidarity", he remarked. Replying to a question, he said there is no trial of former president Musharraf.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)