Friday, 27 July, 2007

ABC News Online

A Pakistani official says if Australia is considering selling uranium to India, then Pakistan should be offered the same deal.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer recently said despite India not having signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, uranium could be sold to power stations open to the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Pakistan Minister for Religious Affairs Ejaz ul-Haq says it is a diplomatic issue.

"Pakistan should be considered alongside India when countries who are working in this region, they have to keep the balance of power in this region," he said.

"Pakistan's nuclear program is totally peaceful. If we are going to go further into nuclear it is going to be for energy, because we are suffering from power shortages."