ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday dismissed a report published in US newspaper Washington Post regarding Pakistan’s nuclear arsenals, saying it is based on incorrect assessment.
“Pakistan is committed to the objectives of disarmament and non-proliferation,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said in his weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.
The spokesman said that a robust command and control system is in place for safety and security of nuclear arsenals and installations.
Chaudhry said that the US state department in a recent statement has also vindicated our point. “Pakistan follows best international practices and standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency,” he said.
The spokesman said that any military attack on Syria will have serious consequences and plunge the already volatile region into deeper conflict.
“The approach to address the Syrian situation should be guided by principles enshrined in the UN charter like respect for sovereignty‚ territorial integrity‚ noninterference in internal matters and resolution of disputes through peaceful manner,” Chaudhry said.
Chaudhry said Pakistan remains opposed to the use of force‚ urges maximum restraint from all sides and dialogue among Syrians for peaceful solution of the problem.
The spokesman further said that Pakistan and the US are engaged in a multidimensional cooperation. He said that both the sides have agreed to revive the work of working groups that will lead to the resumption of strategic level in early next year.
On the expected meeting of the prime ministers of India and Pakistan on the sideline of UN General Assembly session‚ the spokesperson said both the countries are in touch and working out the date. He said the meeting will provide a useful opportunity to remove the existing trust deficit in relations.
Emphasizing the need for dialogue for settlement of outstanding issues‚ he said disruption of dialogue benefits only those who do not want peace.
On the tension on the Line of Control (LoC)‚ Chaudhry said Pakistan has expressed grave concerns over the violations on the border by India and urged it to respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement.
