ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Pakistan made several positive overtures on the nuclear issues Monday, prior to the start of talks between Pakistan and a top US official, reports AP.

Pakistan promised a tough new law to guarantee that sensitive nuclear technology doesn't become available to the highest bidder.

Pakistan also reiterated ah earlier statement by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that it was ready to adhere to the global nuclear test ban treaty, something Washington has been pushing and something India also promised to do

The announcements came ahead of a visit later Monday by US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, who arrives in

Pakistan from India where he negotiated the signing of the .Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty with New Delhi.

India agreed to sign the treaty in exchange for an end to economic sanctions.

Meanwhile. Pakistan's promised law to protect its nuclear technology is aimed al allaying fears that the country's nuclear knowledge could be sold to other countries.

A story carried by the staterun Associated Press of Pakistan quoted unnamed government officials saying the government will open talks with Talbott with a "positive attitude toward international (nuclear) non-proliferation concerns."

However the news agency said Islamabad will be mindful

of "its vital national interests and the need to maintain credible nuclear deterrence against Indian aggression or blackmail,"

• While Pakistan has said it is willing to sign the test ban treaty, it has refused outright to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty unless neighboring India also signs. New Delhi has refused.

International concern focused on South Asia last May after India and Pakistan conducted underground nuclear tests.

Both countries posses medium and long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and capable, of hitting major cities on the Asian subcontinent.