May 29, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 23, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 28: Pakistan hailed the 10th anniversary of its first nuclear tests on Wednesday, saying it marked a decade of “responsibility and restraint” by the Muslim world’s only atomic power.

The foreign ministry issued a statement marking the anniversary of the detonations on May 28, 1998, which were carried out in response to nuclear tests by India.

“It was a historic day in the nation’s quest for security,” it said of the tests.

“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,” it added.

The foreign ministry said that Pakistan had set up an elaborate nuclear command and control mechanism in February 2000 and had also established strong export control mechanisms which met international standards.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “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.”

The statement, however, added: “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.”

The spokesman said Pakistan initiated additional proposals for mutual confidence building as well and promoting regionally stability.

Pakistan is opposed to a nuclear race in South Asia and 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 recognised “nuclear capabilities of each other, based on their national security imperatives, constitute a factor for stability”.—Agencies