‘Indian Ocean nuclearisation cause for concern’
islamabad — Top Pakistan civilmilitary leadership has expressed concern over the stockpiling of nuclear arms and installation of ballistic missile defence systems by neighbouring countries, including India, noting that such destabilising manoeuvres could undermine strategic stability in South Asia.
The National Command Authority (NCA) meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, backed Pakistan’s defence forces to hold their own in case of any acts of aggression by the adversaries, but reaffirmed its commitment to Full Spectrum Deterrence — the principle on which Pakistan’s nuclear strategy is based, Dawn reported.
The meeting expressed full confidence in security measures in place to protect the nation’s strategic assets, and reiterated that as a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan will keep on improving its nuclear security as well as non-proliferation measures.
During the meeting on Thursday, the high standards of training and operational readiness of the strategic forces to dispel all kinds of threats was also praised.
It appreciated the technological sophistication demonstrated during the tests of Babur III submarinelaunched cruise missile and Ababeel Missile System.
The NCA took a detailed review of the Nuclear Security Regime and expressed full confidence in command and control systems and security measures in place to ensure comprehensive stewardship and security of strategic assets and materials. The NCA asserted that Pakistan desires peaceful co-existence in the region and will endeavour to work with its neighbours to ensure strategic stability in South Asia.
It noted with satisfaction, the implementation of national comprehensive export control measures, which are in line with international export control regimes.
It reiterated that Pakistan has the requisite credentials to become part of various non-proliferation regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group, for which Pakistan seeks adoption of a non-discriminatory criteria. — IANS, PTI