Islamabad: Pakistan was being compelled to maintain ‘full-spectrum deterrence capability’ due to India’s ‘rapidly growing nuclear programme and absence of a conflict resolution mechanism upsetting strategic stability in the region, according to the National Command Authority (NCA).
The NCA is the highest decision-making authority on nuclear and missile policy issues, and oversees all nuclear and missile programmes in Pakistan.
At its meeting here yesterday, the NCA also referred to India?s growing strategic capabilities in the form of new weapon systems including submarine-launchable, intercontinental and medium-range ballistic missiles and improvements in its ballistic missile defence, The Dawn reported.
“The NCA re-affirmed that the state remains fully cognisant of the evolving security dynamics of South Asia and will take all measures to safeguard its national security,? the military?s public relations wing said and added that it resolved to maintain full-spectrum deterrence capability in line with the dictates of credible minimum deterrence against all forms of aggression.” sources said.
ISPR, the apex policy-making body for Pakistan?s strategic programme, reviewed in its meeting the regional security environment and was briefed on fast-paced strategic and conventional capability developments taking place in the neighbourhood.
The NCA said ?Pakistan seeks peace and strategic stability in South Asia as cornerstone of its policy and considers conflict resolution as the means to achieving this end. ”Pakistan, being a responsible nuclear state, would remain actively engaged with the international community on nuclear stability and security issues.
“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, the statement said, adding that the meeting renewed the interest in joining the multilateral export-control regimes on a non-discriminatory basis; including membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Rashad Mehmood, the three services chiefs and the Director General of the strategic plans division. (UNI)
