Pakistani ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf said Wednesday the time is not ripe for Pakistan to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, arguing that such a move now would destabilize the country.
Musharraf made the statement ahead of a visit to Pakistan by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori. Tokyo has linked a resumption of Japanese economic aid to Pakistan to its willingness to sign the global nuclear test ban treaty.
In a joint interview with Kyodo News and two Japanese newspapers at Army House in Rawalpindi, Musharraf said he will ask Mori during his visit Sunday and Monday to help stabilize Pakistan so that his government is able to sign the CTBT.
Musharraf said he will try to impress upon the Japanese leader that signing the CTBT could lead to internal disturbances and destabilization in Pakistan.