‘Unnecessary and unfounded views’ on Pakistan’s nuclear programme should be avoided: CJCSC General Nadeem Raza

RAWALPINDI, June 06 (SABAH): Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) General Nadeem Raza on Monday said “unnecessary and unfounded views” on Pakistan’s nuclear programme should be avoided, adding that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear power.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), his comments came during a keynote address delivered at a seminar on “Regional Environment and Imperatives of Security” at the NUST Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS) in Islamabad.

The seminar was attended by students, academics and distinguished experts from different parts of the country, the ISPR said.

Commenting on the regional security environment, General Nadeem Raza, who is also the deputy chairman of the National Command Authority (NCA), reiterated the significance of Pakistan’s nuclear capability as the guarantor of deterrence and defence of Pakistan.

“Pakistan’s nuclear programme enjoys across-the-board support of all political parties and the people of Pakistan. The NCA, with all its political and military leadership, stands firm for the strategic programme,” he said.

He asserted that national security is indivisible and assured that under no circumstances shall Pakistan allow a compromise on its nuclear program. “Pakistan is a confident and responsible nuclear power. It pursues the policy of full-spectrum deterrence within the precincts of credible minimum deterrence. Our national security and safety architecture meets all national and international obligations and caters for all kinds of scenarios.”

He went on to say that as a norm in other nuclear-capable nations, “unnecessary and unfounded views on the strategic program should be avoided”. “When necessary, NCA is the right forum to issue specific responses or views.”

Asking people to refrain from commenting on Pakistan’s nuclear programme, the CJCSC said: “In nuclear countries, only the National Command Authority has the right to comment on strategic programmes.” Pakistan’s nuclear capability guarantees the defence of the homeland as well as its integrity; it also has the complete support of the political parties and the masses, he noted.

Civil and military leadership stands like an iron wall with the country’s strategic programme, General Nadeem Raza said, adding: “National security is indivisible.” “Pakistan will not compromise on its nuclear programme.”