M A I N   N E W S

No hint about Indian troop pullout: Pervez

Islamabad, September 17
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today said there was no indication from India about the withdrawal of its troops from the border, but envisaged “some movement” in this regard after the completion of the ongoing Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

“There could be some movement in the wake of elections in Kashmir and what happens thereafter, we will see”, General Musharraf was quoted by the official APP news agency as saying in Karachi.

He said there was no indication of India withdrawing its troops, but the Pakistan army too was prepared for a long haul at the border.

General Musharraf, who inaugurated a Pakistani defence exhibition “Ideas 2002” in Karachi, said stationing of troops at the border neither involved significant expenditure for Pakistan, nor burdened the economy.

The General said forces deployed on the border were on full alert and prepared to meet any challenge. He said the security environment of the country had improved and there were no immediate threats.

He said foreign elements had infiltrated the country and warned them to leave. General Musharraf saw a demonstration of the indigenously produced Al-Khalid Tank and other battle vehicles.

He appreciated their high standard and superb operational mobility and expressed the hope that Pakistan would attain self-sufficiency in the defence field.

Pakistan would also try to export bigger defence products, including tanks and aircraft, he added. PTI, UNI