China to support Pak's demand for N-deal with US

 China has assured Pakistan that it will support the latter during the forthcoming nuclear summit in Washington on all issues, including Islamabad's long standing demand for a civil nuclear agreement with the United States.

According to sources privy to a special meeting of the parliamentary committee on national security, which was presided over by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Beijing has assured of all help during Gilani's upcoming US visit.

Sources said that Pakistan's Ambassador to China Masood Khan, who participated in preliminary deliberations on the nuclear summit in Washington, briefed the committee on the objectives of the summit and Pakistan's preparations for it.

A statement issued after the meeting quoted Gilani as saying that Islamabad is aware about its responsibilities as a nuclear state.

"Pakistan had taken effective steps for nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation through extensive legislative and a regulatory and administrative framework," The Daily Times quoted Gilani as saying.

Gilani, who is also the chairman of Pakistan's National Command Authority,  said the objectives of nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security could only be served and promoted through a 'non-discriminatory paradigm' for international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.