Pakistan to Maintain Full-Spectrum Deterrence Capability | Liaqat Toor

Islamabad—Pakistan is determined to maintain full-spectrum deterrence capability in line with the dictates of ‘credible minimum deterrence’ in order to dissuade all forms of aggression and adhere to a policy of avoiding an arms race.

This resolve was reiterated in a meeting of National Command Authority chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held at Joint Staff Headquarters in Chaklala.

The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Advisor to the PM onNational Security and Foreign AffairsSartaj Aziz, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood and three services chiefs.

The Prime Minister was given a comprehensive briefing by the Director General Strategic Plans Division Lt-Gen Mazhar Jamil, who said that a security force of 30,000 is protecting the nuclear arsenal.

Te Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that these weapons are ‘not against any one”.

The meeting was held to discuss matters pertaining to national security and defence. He expressed satisfaction over the security and safety of nuclear weapons and observed that an efficient nuclear control and command system is in place.

The NCA stated that Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state will remain actively engaged with the international community on nuclear stability and security issues, and expressed satisfaction on Pakistan’s enhanced outreach with the multilateral export control regimes.

Pakistan shares the goals of non-proliferation and is committed to play its due role as a mainstream partner in the global non-proliferation regimes, reiterated the NCA.

The NCA meeting also renewed Pakistan’s interest in the membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group, as the country possesses the requisite credentials for full access to civil nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, particularly to meet its energy shortages.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major-Gen Asim Bajwa said that the sacrifices made during Operation Zarb-i-Azb and the success of the operation were also acknowledged during the NCA meeting.

He said the NCA reiterated national resolve to maintain full-spectrum deterrence capability in line with the dictates of ‘credible minimum deterrence’ in order to dissuade all forms of aggression and adhere to a policy of avoiding an arms race.

He said Pakistan sought peace and strategic stability in South Asia as a cornerstone of its policy, and considered conflict resolution a means to achieve this goal.

Source: http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=272690