Pakistan appeals to world powers not to pressure on N-issue

Those concerned about peace in the region should work towards resolving the dispute between Pakistan and India, Aizaz said.

Pakistan has urged world powers not to pressurise it on its nuclear programme.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry while addressing a seminar said that world powers should consider implication of their own actions and policies rather than making 'unrealistic' advice to Pakistan to compromise on its security interests, the Dawn reported.

His statement came a week after the United States had urged Pakistan to limit the development of its nuclear weapons program, which if not stopped or reduced, could lead to increased risks and instability in South Asia.

However, Aizaz did not name any of the world powers during his address.

Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is for purposes of deterrence only, he added.

The international community should end its dual standards towards South Asia. If the world was genuinely concerned about maintaining peace in the region, then it should work towards resolving the long standing dispute between Pakistan and India, Aizaz said.

While rejecting the report that Pakistan will become the fifth largest nuclear power state by 2025 on the basis of their nuclear warheads development performance over the past 20 years and its current weapons deployment, Aizaz said such reports are made to divert the world's attention from the exponential increase in India's fissile material stockpiles.