ANKARA, June 2: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Thursday that Pakistan adhered to a doctrine of minimum nuclear deterrence as a guarantee of its security and had a strong command and control system to protect its strategic assets.
“Pakistan’s nuclear capability should be viewed in the context of the strategic co-relation of forces in South Asia. Pakistan does not threaten any country nor does it have ambitions for regional domination,” he said in his address to the Middle East Technical University on the topic of “Pakistan- promoting regional peace and development in Asia.”
The prime minister explained Pakistan’s position on major regional and international issues to the distinguished audience at the university, considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions. In his comprehensive speech, he covered several areas, including the situation in South Asia, Pakistan-India peace dialogue, Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle East crisis, proposed UN reforms. He also highlighted his country’s role in promoting regional peace and development.
Mr Aziz said Pakistan’s nuclear and missile capabilities had been developed purely for self-defence and had provided a credible deterrence to ensure its security. The nuclear test by Pakistan, in response to that of India in 1998, had proved to be a critical factor in the establishment of security and stability in South Asia, he added.
Recalling the events of 2001-2002, he said it was nuclear deterrence that prevented the outbreak of hostilities after India had deployed more than a million troops on its borders. Pakistan, being a responsible nuclear power, has proposed a strategic restraint regime that seeks to avoid a strategic and conventional arms race with India, he said.
Mr Aziz reiterated his country’s opposition to nuclear proliferation and said the country had developed a strong command and control system to protect its strategic assets. “Moreover, we have engaged with the international export control regime to ensure non-proliferation,” he added.
The prime minister also outlined various features of Pakistan’s burgeoning economy, which posted a growth rate of 8.3 per cent in the 2004-05 fiscal year. Pakistan was ranked among the top five Asian countries in terms of growth.
On South Asia and the ongoing peace dialogue with India, the prime minister underlined the centrality of the Kashmir dispute and said its resolution was necessary for durable peace in the region. He said in its relations with India, Pakistan had persisted with its commitment to peaceful resolution of all issues, especially the Kashmir dispute.
But the prime minister said it was important that the dispute was settled in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. To achieve this objective, he said that all parties should show sincerity, courage and flexibility. “We have already demonstrated our commitment to this approach, and believe that a Kashmir solution must be acceptable to all three parties — Pakistan, India and especially the Kashmiris,” he added.
Turning to events of the past two decades in Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan was adversely affected by the situation there, having to cope with the inflow of three million Afghan refugees, the infusion of drugs and weapons as well as incursions by extremists and terrorists. Throughout this period, he said, Pakistan showed that it respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and helped in efforts to restore peace in that country.
After the events of September 11, he added, Pakistan fully supported the Bonn Process and the government of President Hamid Karzai who had acted as a reliable neighbour and trusted partner.—APP
