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Pakistan rejects media report on Saudi military nuclear cooperation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Nov 8, IRNA -- Pakistan has rejected as "entirely baseless and mischievous" a western media report alleging military nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

BBC Newsnight had earlier reported that Saudi Arabia has invested in Pakistani nuclear weapons projects, and believes it could obtain atomic bombs at will.

Rejecting the BBC story the Foreign Ministry said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapons state with robust command and control structure and comprehensive export controls.

"Pakistan supports objectives of non-proliferation as well as nuclear safety and security," the Foreign Ministry spokesman stated in a rejoinder to the BBC on Thursday.

"As a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan is fully aware of its responsibilities. Pakistan's nuclear program is purely for its own legitimate self-defense and maintenance of a credible, minimum deterrence," he said in a statement.

The Spokesman also drew the media's attention to the joint statement by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and President Barack Obama after their recent talks issued on 24 October 2013, which referred to President Obama's appreciation of Pakistan's constructive engagement with the Nuclear Security Summit process, its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international forums.

"At the same time, President Obama acknowledged Pakistan's efforts to improve its strategic trade controls and enhance its engagement with multilateral export regime. Prime Minister Sharif affirmed Pakistan's support for the universal objectives of non-proliferation and disarmament."

The spokesman recalled that President Obama reiterated his confidence in Pakistan's commitment and dedication to nuclear security and recognize that Pakistan is fully engaged with the international community on nuclear safety and security issues.

"There can be no better affirmation of the international community's recognition of Pakistan's commitment and adherence to the goals of non-proliferation," he said.

BBC reported Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has given generous financial assistance to Pakistans defence sector, including, western experts allege, to its missile and nuclear labs.

Visits by the then Saudi defense minister Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al Saud to the Pakistani nuclear research centre in 1999 and 2002 underlined the closeness of the defence relationship, the BBC said.
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