Downplaying recent statements by him and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on pre-emptive strikes against Pakistan on the Iraq pattern, Defence Minister George Fernandes today said these were ‘‘casual’’ comments and not a government policy.Speaking to a news channel, he clarified that Sinha did not suggest that the US or any other country should take action against Pakistan. However, he upheld Sinha’s observation that Pakistan had dictatorial rule like Iraq. Meanwhile, Sinha reiterated in Jamshedpur today that the grounds on which the US-led forces invaded Iraq also existed in Pakistan, and this could warrant a similar action against the country.
