Mind your language on Pakistan, President tells US hopeful Presidential candidates

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf has said in unequivocal terms that the hopeful US Presidential candidates should not run their elections campaign at the cost of Pakistan, adding that, the nuclear assets of Pakistan are in safe hands.

No forces of any other country would be allowed to hunt terrorists in territory of Pakistan, the President said this while talking to US delegation led by Chairman US homeland Security of Senate and State Affairs Senator Joe Liberman on Wednesday.

Various issues related to bilateral relations, regional affairs, war against terrorism, and preservation of nuclear assets and next general elections were discussed during the meeting also attended by US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne. W. Peterson.

Expressing annoyance, the President added, the US hopeful Presidential candidates are expressing different reservations over the nuclear assets of Pakistan without awareness of ground realties of the country

The nuclear assets of Pakistan are safe and under strong multi-layered, institutionalized decision-making, organizational, administrative and command and control structures, he said, adding that, there is no question that the nuclear assets of Pakistan can fall into hands of terrorists.

The article, statement being published and aired in dailies and channels of western media and continues statement of US Presidential candidates related to nuclear assets of Pakistan is regrettable and baseless, Pervez pointed out.

The security forces of Pakistan are fully capable to wage war against scourge of terrorism and extremism and our record speaks sacrifices rendered by Pakistani forces in the war, the President noted, adding, Our army has dismantled the network of Al-Qaeda and now they are hiding in mountainous area and we are chasing them.

Despite enormous sacrifices rendered by Pakistan, the threat about launching attack in soil of Pakistan by US hopeful Presidential Candidates is very regrettable and we reject this, President Pervez Musharraf maintained.

The President said, no one would be allowed to chase terrorists in our soil because it will tantamount to disapprove our sacrifices in war against terrorism. Commenting on Political situation of the country, he said, the country has been passing through its critical time of the hospital but the democratic process would not be derailed.

The elections would be held on February 18 at any cost and it will improve the Political scenario of the country, he said, adding that, the people involved in murder of Former Premier Benazir Bhutto would be taken to task.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Joe Liberman lauded the leadership qualities of President by saying that US want long term and sustainable relationship with Pakistan. The statement issued by the US Presidential hopeful Candidate was not part of our Government Polices while the whole world including US admired the role of Pakistan in war against terrorism, he added.

Expressing grief and sorrow over the death of Benazir Bhutto, he said, she was a brave leader and tired her level best for sustainable and real democracy in Pakistan.