ISLAMABAD. Nov 10: Pakistan said today it had perceived a new positive approach from US President Bill Clinton's administration to solve a nuclear row between the two countries, reports Reuter.

This approach was "more apparent' when a senior US official visited Islamabad earlier this week. Foreign Secretary Shaharyar Mohammad Khan told reporters.

Ties between the two onetime close allies have soured since US military and economic aid was cut dff in 1990 when President George Bush refused to certify to Congress that Pakistan did not possess nuclear weapons.

After talks with US Assistant Secretary of state Robin Raphel. new Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto told her cabinet

on Monday that a 'new window of opportunity1 had been opened for improved ties with Washington.

We have perceived from the Clinton administration a new approach towards seeking a way out," Shaljaryar said when asked if the deadlock over the nucleaf issue continued.

'This very positive approach was apparent during the last, meeting I-had (with Anierican officials in September) In Washington and it was certain, even more apparent, when Raphel came here a few days ago." he said. 'Therefore a desire to overcome is there."

Meanwhile. Bhutto said today her government would keep the brakes on Pakistan’s nuclear programme, but would not reduce it.

'We will keep it capped but will not roll it back.' the official Associated P-ress of Pakistan (APP) quoted her as saying.

The Nawaz Sharif government had 'succumbed to pressure and capped the nuclear programme,' Bhutto said while talking to reporters in Quetta following talks Raphel.