Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistan Defense Ministry clarifies Dlrs 9b arms sale report

IRNA

Islamabad, Sept 5, IRNA -- Pakistan will never indulge in an arms race
and will buy only those items necessary to keep strategic balance in 
the region, said a report by the official APP news agency on Thursday.
It quoted an unnamed Defense Ministry spokesman as clarifying a 
news item published in a section of the press regarding offer of sale 
of arms worth nine billion dollars by the US to Pakistan. 
"Pakistan is a responsible country and would never indulge in an 
arms race in the region. Only those items will be purchased which are 
necessary for the armed forces to keep strategic balance in the region
and which we can afford." 
The spokesman said "the reported amount of 9 billion dollars is a 
huge sum of money which a country like Pakistan with multiple other 
issues cannot set aside for only defense purchases". 
Pakistan, he said, would discuss among other things, acquisitions 
of arms and equipment with USA in the forthcoming meeting of the 
Defense Consultative Group, which would take place in Washington this 
month. 
"But the purchase will be in accordance with our needs and 
resources." 
The spokesman asked the press to verify the facts before writing 
on such issues of national importance. 
/TSH/AA/216 
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