Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that he had refused an offer made by the U.S. President at the time to prevent Pakistan from carrying out nuclear tests.Stating that the U.S. had tried to persuade him many times to stop nuclear tests, the Pakistani PM said that he rejected the offer for 'the honor and interest' of his country.Remarking that terrorist acts in the country have decreased greatly, Sharif said that a rapid progress was seen at the economic front. He announced a relief package of 341 billion rupees for farmers at the Kissan Convention in Islamabad on Tuesday.Highlighting the government's sincerity with this new agricultural relief, the PM said that the federal cabinet-approved package foresees interest-free loans, simplifying loan and funding procedures, cash assistance and reduced rates in agriculture inputs. Farmers who install solar tube wells will be given the option of interest-free loans, added the PM. Farmers who produce fruits, vegetables and grains will also be exempt from income tax, said SharifThe PM further added that farmers should "adopt progressive measures to increase agricultural productivity" in the country.Sharif is expected to attend the UN General Assembly session next week. Pakistan had previously announced on May 28, 1998 that it had conducted five successful nuclear tests, right after India had carried out a set of tests on May 12.