New Delhi: Downplaying the recent statements on pre-emptive strikes against Pakistan on the Iraq pattern, Defence Minister George Fernandes on April 14 said the remarks were "casual" and not a government policy.

He was referring to statements by Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha and supported by him last week that the conditions for which Iraq was attacked by the US-led coalition existed in Pakistan also.

He clarified that Sinha, while making the statement, did not suggest that the US or any other country should take action against Pakistan. "But that was a casual statement and not any policy decision of the government or a considered view of some section," he said.

Sinha "did not demand pre-emptive strike" against Pakistan while making the statement, Fernandes said while upholding the Foreign Minister's observation that Pakistan also had dictatorial rule like Iraq for which the latter was attacked.

"Pakistan also falls in the same category" of Iraq in those terms, the Defence Minister said and noted that Sinha's observations were based on "his understanding of the situation".

PTI