ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: Expressing serious concern over possible resumption of nuclear tests by India, Pakistan on Monday warned that it would review unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing if India resumed tests.
“Pakistan does not want a nuclear arms race in the region but at the same time it is committed to maintaining a credible minimum deterrence in the interest of strategic balance, which is vital for regional peace,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told a press briefing here on Monday.
She said Pakistan took assertions of the Indian leadership about the possibility of resuming nuclear tests seriously.
Alluding to statements emanating from New Delhi that India’s right to conduct tests will not be undermined by a bilateral civilian nuclear deal with the United States, she said these should be a source of concern not just for Pakistan but also for the international community.
She pointed out that such statements were coming at a time when India’s ‘civil nuclear energy deal’ with US was to augment New Delhi’s nuclear capability and give it access to the latest technology.
Ms Aslam said Pakistan continued to maintain unilateral moratorium on testing and had proposed to India a bilateral nuclear test ban treaty. She said the resumption of nuclear tests by India would create a serious situation and Pakistan would have to review its position and take action consistent with its supreme national interests.
About the Australian decision to sell uranium to India, the spokesperson said any development that disturbed strategic balance in South Asia was a matter of vital concern to Pakistan.
She said Pakistan had repeatedly been emphasising that in order to meet its energy needs, it had procurement plans which included the development of nuclear power plants.
She, however, added that Pakistan wanted to develop nuclear power under international safeguards.
She hoped that the nuclear suppliers group would understand Pakistan’s requirements as well. She urged the group to adopt a criteria-based approach for nuclear cooperation.
She said that US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte would be coming to Pakistan on Sept 11 to lead his country’s delegation to the second round of strategic dialogue encompassing a whole range of bilateral relations and cooperation.
Responding to a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan would not become party to any efforts to destabilise Iran.
She said Pakistan was taking steps to ensure safety and security of all foreigners including Chinese nationals in the country, adding that Chinese living in Pakistan were making great contribution to the economic development of the country.
The spokesperson said Pakistan had so far released 2,823 Indians and India had released 834 Pakistani prisoners.
She said that on Aug 13 Pakistan had released 134 Indians and was expecting India to release 100 prisoners and sent a list of 24 civilians and 48 fishermen. But instead of 24, only 22 civilians were released.
She said 150 Pakistanis were still languishing in Indian jails, but consular access was not being provided to Pakistan’s Mission to India.
