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Today's Paper | September 19, 2024

Published 08 Feb, 2009 12:00am

‘AQ Khan’s release a domestic issue’

GUJRAT, Feb 7: Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar has said: “Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan’s release is our domestic issue which we will tackle agreeably so as to allay all fears of the world community”.

Talking to Dawn here on Saturday, Mr Mukhtar said the government would pay whatever amount required for the probe of the Benazir Bhutto case by the United Nations because her death was an irreparable loss to the country.

“Whether the killers or executors are arrested or they may flee, but it should be investigated who were behind the conspiracy that led to the assassination of Benazir Bhutto”, the defence minister said.

About the Swat scenario, he said that insurgents wanted to weaken the country but the situation would soon be brought under control.

Regarding the policies of the new US administration, Mr Mukhtar said that Senator John Kerry and Joe Biden had said that US President Barack Obama wanted to triple the Pakistan aid which signaled changes in its policies.

The defence minister said that for the first time the United Kingdom and the US president had explicitly stated for the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

He said relations with India stood at the point where it was before the Mumbai attacks and the future relations depended on the outcome of the attack report.

The defence minister later inaugurated a water filtration plant in the downtown area of Chowk Mana. PPP MNA Sameena Fakhar Pagganwala provided the funds.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Mukhtar vowed to continue striving for the betterment of the people of his constituency.

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