Wednesday, July 5 2006 18:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: In a bid to get a civilian nuclear deal from the US, Pakistan has said it was ready to permit foreign companies to invest in atomic power plants in the country and take back the unspent fuel to allay fears over proliferation.

"We are even prepared that they come and invest andtake their unspent fuel back. Just give us the energy. There is no case for not giving this [nuclear technology] to Pakistan," said Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri, who is on a visit to the US and France.

In an interview yesterday to state-run PTV before his departure, Kasuri said he would 'press' the leaders of the two countries to rethink their stand on their persistent refusal to reach a pact with Pakistan similar to the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal.

Kausri, who is now in Paris to hold talks with his French counterpart Philippe Douste-Blazy, said he would not 'hesitate to press' French and American officials on Pakistan's case for civilian nuclear technology.

He said, "We are a declared nuclear power. Wherever I go, whether US or Europe, I will press our case."

He claimed that 'no harm' would be done to global counter-proliferation efforts if Pakistan gets civilian nuclear technology.

Pakistan's former top scientist A Q Khan is now under house arrest after a global nuclear blackmarketing network led by him was exposed.

After his Paris visit, Kasuri would go to Washington where he is scheduled to hold talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other top US officials.