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Pakistan vows to maintain security of nuclear assets

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, May 22, IRNA -- Pakistan said on Thursday it will maintain security and integrity of its nuclear deterrence especially in the light of changing regional environment.

Responding to questions, the Foreign Office spokesman said that reports appearing in the Western media about Pakistan’s nuclear assets are part of the malicious campaign against the country.

American media has reported that a US special force has chalked out a plan to take control of Pakistan's nuclear warheads are feared to be falling in Taliban hands.

The spokesman said no amount of coercion, direct or indirect, will ever force Pakistan to compromise on its core security interests.

He said nuclear deterrence is corner stone of Pakistan's security and enjoys complete national consensus.

“Pakistan is committed to maintaining a strong, effective and multi-layered command and control and nuclear security system. It also continues to support international non-proliferation efforts”.

The spokesman said Pakistan has noticed acquisition of sophisticated conventional weapons by India, which is disturbing conventional balance between the two countries and lowering the nuclear threshold.

“Such developments disturb strategic balance and Pakistan is constrained to adopt necessary safeguards as it deems fit,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said.

“Pakistan is opposed to nuclear arms race but it cannot remain oblivious to increasing conventional asymmetry and unrelenting arms acquisition as well as preferential treatment being given to certain countries of the region,” he told weekly press briefing.

He said that nuclear deterrence in the region is an indispensable factor of stability in south Asia. “The international community must play its role in augmenting the strategic stability and refrain from policies that undermine it”.

To another question about willingness of France to supply nuclear power plants, the spokesman said the two countries would commence negotiations on a framework agreement in July this year, which will cover all aspects of bilateral relations including cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

He hoped that the negotiations would conclude by the end of the year.