Pakistan offers bilateral nuclear test ban to India

Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday offered India a bilateral ban on nuclear testing. A foreign ministry statement said, “Pakistan had (in the past) proposed to India simultaneous adherence to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The proposal did not elicit a favourable response from India.”

It added, “Once again, in the larger interest of peace and stability in the region, as also in the global context, Pakistan has indicated the possibility that the two countries may consider a bilateral arrangement, which is reflective of its policy of promoting restraint and responsibility in South Asia and its consistent support for the objectives of the CTBT.”

Pakistan is like hell, says Manohar Parrikar
Amid strain in ties with Pakistan, defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday compared the neigbouring country to “hell” and asserted that it should stop human rights violations in Balochistan.

Referring to an infiltration bid which was foiled on Monday by the Indian Army, he said, “Kal humare jawano ne paanch logon (terrorists) ko wapas bhej dia, Pakistan mein jaana aur nark (hell) mein jaana ek hi hai (Our soldiers sent back five terrorists on Monday. Going to Pakistan is same as going to hell).”

Pakistan has always been “promoting” terrorism and the nation is now bearing its consequences, he said assuring that “Indian soldiers will give a befitting reply to attack”.