Nuclear deterrence a 'factor of stability' in South Asia, says Pak

Islamabad: Describing its nuclear arsenal as a "factor of stability in South Asia", Pakistan on Wednesday said it will maintain a full-spectrum deterrence and take steps to effectively respond to the threats to its national security.

During the 22nd meeting of the National Command Authority under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the nuclear watchdog reviewed regional and international security environment.

"NCA took note of the growing conventional and strategic weapons' development in the region. It expressed serious concerns over the adverse ramifications for peace and security on this account," a statement by the army said.

The NCA reaffirmed its determination to take all possible measures to make national security robust, enabling it to effectively respond to the threats to national security without indulging in arms race.

"Reiterating that nuclear deterrence is the factor of stability in South Asia, NCA expressed the resolve to maintain Full Spectrum Deterrence, in line with the policy of Credible Minimum Deterrence," the statement said.

Today's meeting was held ahead of the nuclear security summit scheduled next month in the US. It was attended by Federal Ministers for Defence, Finance and Interior, Advisor on Foreign Affairs, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, Director General Strategic Plans Division.

In previous meetings, the NCA has noted with concern India's rapidly expanding conventional military asymmetry and dangerous limited conventional war policy called the 'Cold Start' doctrine.

Today, it re-emphasised Pakistan's desire for establishing the Strategic Restraint Regime in South Asia and the inescapable need of a meaningful and sustained comprehensive dialogue process for resolution of all outstanding disputes, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity in the region.

The NCA noted that Pakistan has the requisite credentials to become part of all multi-lateral export control regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group, for which it seeks a non-discriminatory approach.

The participants reviewed the security and safety mechanism of Pakistan's nuclear programme and expressed satisfaction over the measures in-place to ensure highly- effective security of strategic assets and installations.

They reposed confidence in the command and control system of the national strategic capability and appreciated the standard of operational preparedness of strategic forces.

Details of inter-agency process to ratify the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (Amended) by Pakistan were presented to the NCA and it gave approval for its ratification.

The NCA said as a responsible nuclear State Pakistan would continue to contribute meaningfully towards the global efforts to improve nuclear security and non-proliferation measures.