Pakistan has every right to develop tactical nuclear weapons to defend itself in view of the hostile attitude of its nuclear-armed neighbour, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said on Tuesday. In an interview with PTV on Tuesday, he said the country’s nuclear programme was not meant for war but for the prevention of war by developing deterrent capabilities. India, Aizaz said, resorted to forward deployments under its cold start doctrine and Pakistan has every right to develop weapons to defend its sovereignty. “Our nuclear programme is not meant for war but prevention of war,” he added. Amid speculations the prime minister is visiting the United States to talk about a nuclear deal similar to that of Iran, Aizaz said the country would not compromise in any way on its nuclear programme. For quite sometime reports had been emanating from different sources that Pakistan was developing tactical and miniaturized nuclear weapons but formal confirmation that the country has mastered the capability would give a big boost to the morale of the people and send a categorical warning to those having nefarious designs to think twice as their any adventure would be turned into mis-adventure. Pakistani nuclear programme is backed by the entire nation and considered as a pride achieved with the untiring efforts of our nuclear scientists despite all the pressures, propaganda and sanctions. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before embarking on the visit made the categorical statement that there would be no deal or compromise on country’s nuclear programme which was, in fact, reflection of the sentiments of Pakistani nation. Pakistan was forced to develop nuclear weapons as a deterrent after India first detonated the device in 1974 and its continuous threatening postures. Our nuclear weapons have put a brake on Indian designs including theory of Cold Start or Lightening strikes, because the hawks in New Delhi fully understand that when it came to the issue of its survival, Pakistan would be forced to use them, a hell would break out in South Asia and the biggest loser will be New Delhi. Through its lobbyists, India is working hard to influence policy planners at the Capitol Hill and opinion makers in the American Think Tanks to force Pakistan to freeze its nuclear programme but the announcement by the Foreign Secretary reaffirms government’s stance that Pakistan is not only fine tuning it but would strongly resist any pressure as it is vital for our national security.
pk.shafaqna.com
