In an apparent attempt to break the unity of the G4 countries seeking permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, Pakistan has said it would ‘‘step back’’ and consider supporting Japan’s bid if Tokyo disassociates itself from the grouping which includes India.‘‘If the G4 composition changes, we will review our position. Our relations with Japan are historic, Japan is our largest creditor, the single largest contributor to our debt,’’ Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who is on a visit to Japan, told international media there.When a Japanese journalist asked if Pakistan would support Japan’s UNSC bid if it left the G4, Aziz said, ‘‘If that framework changes, we will step back and see what to do.’’ He, however, hastened to add that it was a hypothetical question and the ‘‘G-4 composition remained as it was’’.Aziz’s comments follow Japan’s decision to provide a $440 million loan to Pakistan under a revived soft-term official development assistance plan. Japan has also agreed to resume yuan loans to Pakistan which were stopped after Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests.Asked about the role of disgraced scientist A Q Khan and his role in the North Korean nuclear programme, Aziz said the chapter stood closed. To a question whether Pakistan would play any role in denuclearising the Korean peninsula, he said Pakistan had no role in the North Korean nuclear programme.
