PR. No.144/2008

Date: 28/05/2008  

A DECADE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND RESTRAINT

28 May 2008 marks the 10 th anniversary of the nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan in 1998. It was a historic day in the nation's quest for security.

Pakistan has taken its responsibilities as a nuclear weapon State seriously. We have not relented in our pursuit for creating a peaceful global and regional environment.

At all levels bilaterally and multilaterally, we have endeavoured to promote the cause of peace, disarmament and non-proliferation. We have urged restraint and responsibility at the regional plane. Pakistan has initiated additional proposals for mutual confidence building as well and promoting regional stability.

Pakistan has instituted an elaborate Nuclear Command and Control mechanism in February 2000. The National Command Authority (NCA) oversees custodial controls of all strategic assets. Pakistan has also instituted strong export control mechanisms which are at par with international standards.

Pakistan is opposed to a nuclear arms race in South Asia . It is significant that in the Joint Statement issued after the first round of Nuclear CBMs held between Pakistan and India in June 2004, both sides recognized that “nuclear capabilities of each other, which are based on their national security imperatives, constitute a factor for stability”.

While continuing to act with responsibility and avoiding an arms race, Pakistan will neither be oblivious to its security requirements, nor to the needs of its economic development.

Islamabad

28 May 2008