Pakistan claims right to nuclear deal

MULTAN, Pakistan, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani says Pakistan has a right to ask for a similar civilian nuclear deal the United States has reached with India.

Speaking Thursday in his hometown of Multan, Gilani said Pakistan shouldn't worry about the U.S.-India civilian nuclear deal, which is awaiting U.S. President George Bush's signature to become law.

Gilani said the deal has opened the way for his country to demand a similar agreement, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

"Pakistan will now make efforts for a civil nuclear deal and they (the world community) will have to accommodate us," the Press Trust of India quoted Gilani as saying.

Gilani said, "Now that the civil nuclear deal with India has been finalized, Pakistan will have the right to ask for a similar deal because we do not want there to be any discrimination," PTI reported.

Replying to a question regarding whether Pakistan would seek nuclear technology help from China, Gilani said defense cooperation with China will be enhanced and that he and President Asif Ali Zardari would be visiting China soon.

The BBC reported the United States isn't in favor of concluding a civilian nuclear deal with Pakistan because of its proliferation record.