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Islamabad - Emphasising that Pakistan’s nuclear programme was only for its legitimate self-defence and maintaining minimum credible deterrence, Islamabad Thursday categorically rejected that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had any nuclear deal.

“We strongly reject media reports that Saudi Arabia wants to acquire nuclear weapons from Pakistan,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah told reporters at weekly press briefing.

The spokesperson said that there had been a baseless and mischievous campaign in the international media about Pakistan’s indigenous nuclear programme, and added that the story carried by the Sunday Times on Pakistan’s nuclear programme appeared to be part of that campaign and was completely unfounded.

The spokesperson made it clear that Pakistan had a robust command and control system in place and comprehensive export controls, adding that Islamabad supported objectives of non-proliferation as well as nuclear safety and security.

When asked whether the United States had raised concerns over the issuance of fake degrees by a Pakistani company, the spokesperson said no country including the United States had raised concerns with Pakistan. “An investigation is underway into the scam and everybody is looking forward for investigation,” he added.

On Yemen crisis, Qazi Khalilullah said Pakistan was still in touch with Saudi Arabia on the issue. He said, “We have already expressed our concern over shelling from Yemen on Najran in Saudi Arabia”.

The spokesman said about 15,000 Pakistanis were living in Najran and Pakistan had requested Saudi authorities to ensure their safety. He said so far Pakistanis living in Najran had not shown any interest for evacuation. The spokesman said, “If situation arises, Pakistan will make all out arrangements with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia for their evacuation.”

He expressed the confidence that Saudi Arabia would make all possible arrangements for the safety of Pakistanis.

To a question about relations with India, the spokesperson said Islamabad was committed to establish good relations with all neighbours including India.

“Pakistan desires peace and stability in the region and will continue to play its role in this regard based on the vision given by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in this regard,” he added.

The spokesman said Pakistan was cooperating with international community to root out terrorism from the region and the world.

To another question, the spokesman said Pakistan and Afghanistan were cooperating in different sectors including intelligence sharing.

On Pakistan’s role in peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan, Qazi Khalilullah said Pakistan wanted an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process and extending all possible cooperation and help to Kabul in that regard.