Pakistan is against an arms race in the region: FO
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Pakistan is against an arms race in the region, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said while commenting on the recent India-Russia air defence system deal.
The remark was made during the weekly FO briefing in Islamabad.
Dr Faisal said that countries providing India any weapons should make sure their assistance does not disturb the balance of power in the region. He also stated that Pakistan’s armed forces are nonetheless fully ready to respond to any aggression.
While speaking of India, Dr Faisal mentioned that Pakistan had not made any efforts to schedule talks with India on the sidelines of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in view of the UN General Assembly incident.
“Pakistan has not shied away from talks with India and is open to discuss all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen and terrorism,” Dr Faisal said, noting that it was India that had backed off from talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly sessions after initially agreeing to them.
According to Radio Pakistan, while speaking of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Dr Faisal said that both Pakistan and China are open to third party investment in some of the projects — including the special economic zones.
He also clarified that, contrary to reports, no CPEC projects were being "reviewed" and that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement on the matter had been taken out of context [when reported by some sections of the media].
The FO spokesperson said that engagement with the United States has increased ever the since the new government took office.
Presenting an example of the increased engagement, the FO spokesperson said that during US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad’s recent visit, Pakistan had made it clear that it would take all possible steps to facilitate a political settlement in Afghanistan as peace across the border means peace within Pakistan.
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Comments (106) Closed
Oct 11, 2018 05:45pm
There is no way you are going to cut out expenditures on the acquisition and development of weapons for your security. The only cut possible is spending your resources, both men and material, at the whims and fancies of your so called friends the Americans. That they want you to continue spending your own men and material is their strategy in Afghanistan for which they have always given you lollipops about submitting your bills in triplicate for their acceptance or rejection. That they have been cutting the figures you claimed earlier and are denying you any payments altogether now just goes to show their mentality about maintaining any rationality as far as relationship with you are concerned. The sooner you realise that and stop whatever you are doing as noblesse oblige for them, the better for you.
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Oct 11, 2018 05:50pm
An "alms race" is what he should only be talking about.
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Oct 11, 2018 05:52pm
In that case, Pakistan does not need such a large defense outlay.
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Oct 11, 2018 05:52pm
Same old rhetoric... I think you should record this so it's handy to play it again and again in the future !!
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Oct 11, 2018 05:53pm
Pakistan zindabad.
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Oct 11, 2018 05:54pm
Is there any comparision in GDB, capcity, population, talent or anything between the two contries ?
Indians dont compare with Pakistan.
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Oct 11, 2018 05:58pm
Of course Pakistan is against arms race now since it cannot afford. It is a different matter it was first country in region to induct state of art weapons like Saberjet and F16s.
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Oct 11, 2018 06:04pm
He is speaking himself. World will not buy your narrative anymore.
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Oct 11, 2018 06:04pm
India is more concerned about China, rather about Pakistan.
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Oct 11, 2018 06:09pm
Really?????????
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Oct 11, 2018 06:09pm
India has the money to buy where as Pakistan also wants to buy but doesnt have.
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Oct 11, 2018 06:14pm
What else can you say.
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Oct 11, 2018 06:39pm
"The FO spokesperson said that engagement with the United States has increased ever the since the new government took office. "
There is no need to talk to India if we are in direct talks with US.
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Oct 11, 2018 07:18pm
The same applies to China as well or FO does not consider China as part of region.
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Oct 11, 2018 07:20pm
India buy the arms...and Pakistan talk about the peace in the region !!!
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Oct 11, 2018 07:23pm
Actually there is no race. India has lowest per capita expenditure on defence.
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Oct 11, 2018 07:26pm
India defence budget $60Billion and Pakistan's $10Billion. Now realizing rams race is exhausting ?
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Oct 11, 2018 07:28pm
Seems realizing defense spending taking toll on countries economics. Better than late.
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Oct 11, 2018 07:29pm
@flying star Get your facts corrected.Pakistan spends 3.5% of its GDP (PAK GDP 280 BILLION),INDIA spends 2.5% of its GDP (IND GDO 2280 BILLION),now you calculate who spends more on defence.Dont look at the amount look at the %
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Oct 11, 2018 07:29pm
What balance of power? This is like mexico saying usa must maintain balance of power...
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Oct 11, 2018 07:39pm
Refer this to China which is continuing to grow and threaten everyone around.
Anyways neither is India going to buy less or more based on what anyone says. India's defence budget is the least (in percent terms) in the region.
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Oct 11, 2018 07:47pm
@Puzzling Politics brilliant comment.
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Oct 11, 2018 07:48pm
@Puzzling Politics you stole my thought.
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Oct 11, 2018 07:53pm
@Puzzling Politics excellent comment.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:09pm
@musarraf So why do Indians vote as per the respective party's policy regarding Pakistan.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:10pm
Pakistan must understand that India's defense needs are keeping India in mind. Since Pakistan has nuclear deterrence against India, I don't understand why such insecurity exists.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:16pm
Correction - Pakistan must understand that India's defense needs are keeping *China in mind. Since Pakistan has nuclear deterrence against India, I don't understand why such insecurity exists.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:25pm
@Zoraiz Zafar Get your facts right. Indians vote on basis of track record ofwhich leader ran the administration better than others, is non-currupt and brings in overall economical growth. Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, Modi are all known as architects of India's economical and industrial development, boosting Indias GDP and being non-Currupt. None of them have any money other than their earned government salaries. That's why they are chosen over dynasty or currupt people.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:31pm
Correct ! when asking loan from IMF to meet budget deficit, you have to make these kind of statements.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:31pm
India is a $3 trillion economy and Pakistan is $300 billion which less than some of the individual states of India. Pakistan should give up illusions of matching India and focus on competing with Indian Punjab which is more comparable.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:33pm
@Neutral India spends 1.7% of GDP on defence not 2.5 %.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:33pm
Who will listen to Pakistan. The Military Industrial complex of USA, RUSSIA, FRANCE are there to make a buck.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:34pm
one needs to hold some cards to be making these statements. with hardly a penny in the bank, these grandiose principled statements seem hollow.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:36pm
@Bret not a trillion but $2.8 trillion economy.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:38pm
$405 forex reserves vs $7 billion forex reserves, enough said !
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Oct 11, 2018 08:39pm
It is wrong statement, Pakistan is not against Arms race, it has come to a point where it cannot afford to be in a arms race.Arms race is the only aggression. You cannot claim to be aggressive if you have left arms race.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:41pm
what else can he say when reality is out there for all to see.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:42pm
Well said!
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Oct 11, 2018 08:42pm
I visited Pak some 35 yrs ago; that land of rivers is abundant with nature but now it has little to show.
On the contrary, its neighbor has progressed somewhat. Both of their Northern neighbor is actively engaging both of them in different ways to keep on their toes.. Tough to evolve a computer model for an equation.
How about both divided parts of Kashmir are united with sovereign UN guarantee as an independent nation, thereby removing both these feuding neighbors off the expenditure hook to pay attention to their own people and nation building. This idea was mooted by a senior administrator decades ago, it may be worthwhile to revisit this.
Go ahead readers give your similar penny thoughts.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:42pm
Because of finincial crunch in pakisan you have talking that you have not in arm race .other wise you have purchase arms .another think that US cut aid to pakistan which is your main sourse for geting arms.
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Oct 11, 2018 08:47pm
@Zoraiz Zafar "@musarraf So why do Indians vote as per the respective party's policy regarding Pakistan."
They don't. Indian elections hardly ever mention Pakistan. For Indians economic development is the most important thing.
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Oct 11, 2018 09:12pm
@RAJA CHILL Please add defense budget of China that is 150 billion $. India is facing a combined defense spending of 180 billion $ which three times bigger than India's defense budget. If anything, Pakistan should ask China to decrease their defense budget to have any semblance of balance.
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Oct 11, 2018 09:24pm
@Neutral you too incorrect. In Dec, 2017 India's GDP was $2.61 trillion and expected GDP of 2018 is $2.85 trillion.
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Oct 11, 2018 09:27pm
@Zoraiz Zafar
Don't know where you get this idea from. Pakistan is rarely mentioned in any election campaign.
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Oct 11, 2018 09:29pm
@Zoraiz Zafar read the election manifestos of different Indian national political parties. If you get any word about Pakistan I shall stop voting. Don't fed on lies.
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Oct 11, 2018 09:30pm
What balance of power?
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Oct 11, 2018 09:35pm
@Zoraiz Zafar
**So why do Indians vote as per the respective party's policy regarding Pakistan.**
Congress broke Pakistan into two in 1971.
In the next elections in 1977 they were thrown out of power.
Your argument goes out of the window.
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Oct 11, 2018 09:36pm
@Biren - Anti-Pakistan rhetoric is always in your politiacian's election campaign.
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Oct 11, 2018 09:52pm
@sensible will not work at all. only thing that may work is for both the countries to resolve this issue by themself. They have existing agreement to do so. Any third party interference will not be acceptable to India.
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Oct 11, 2018 10:06pm
Who told you to race?
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Oct 11, 2018 10:10pm
you can not afford arm race wih us....you need bailout package..
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Oct 11, 2018 10:11pm
Who and why world should listen to him? He should be spending his time building good relations with its neighbors and around the world.
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Oct 11, 2018 10:12pm
You are free to get out of a race that you can never win. You can't decide for a country like India.
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Oct 11, 2018 10:42pm
@Zoraiz Zafar Do you really think 1.3bn people vote only because keeping thier mind specific to Pakistan.
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Oct 11, 2018 11:10pm
@Neutral $280 billion Pakistani GDP was calculated when the Pak Rupee was 110 to a dollar. Now it is over 130 to a dollar, the GDP too has to be reduced to something like $235. Soon the rupee may touch 150 to a dollar (IMF demands it) and then the GDP would be 205. So our defense expenditure would be over 5% of our GDP which is twice that of India's. Can we afford it? In fact if we can reduce the defence expenditure by half we can build TWO large dams without crowd sourcing.
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Oct 11, 2018 11:15pm
@Harmony-1© - You are just shown & told about the 1% of the times Pakistan is mentioned in Indian election campaigns. You're not told about the 99% of the times, Pakistan is not mentioned.
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Oct 11, 2018 11:32pm
@Veer Singh - Let's hope you are right.
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Oct 11, 2018 11:43pm
This is a business deal and not assistance.
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Oct 11, 2018 11:45pm
@Harmony-1© Watch imran khan sppeches before elections if you think he never mentioned India.
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Oct 11, 2018 11:46pm
@Harmony-1© shall i show you the speeches of your PM before elections ????
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Oct 11, 2018 11:47pm
So Pakistan doesn't discuss India before its elections ! How about Imran's statements link from this very site which shows how many times he mentioned Modi and India ??
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Oct 12, 2018 01:33am
@Anuj - "Watch imran khan sppeches before elections..."
Yes I know, they were always about having good relations with India and having dialogue about all issues.
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Oct 12, 2018 01:54am
Anyone who has money can buy what they want. Every country needs big business selling arms.
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Oct 12, 2018 02:07am
@usr have you you realised, by combining china's to your budget,you are giving up your soverenity.
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Oct 12, 2018 02:08am
@M.Ramanathan Neither does India, but we know how to counter with one thenth the cost. Hatf case is an example.
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Oct 12, 2018 02:19am
What 'balance of power' is the FO talking about??
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Oct 12, 2018 02:27am
@Neutral, You dont need % to buy weapons, you need $$$$ to buy weapons. Do you have them ? ;)
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Oct 12, 2018 02:29am
If you think countries are going to consider the balance of power in the region when selling billions of dollars worth of weapons to another country, you are not educated enough in the matter. If you have money to spend, they will welcome you. I think the statements made by the FO spokesperson are not inline with what the PM has said. This type of information needs to remain unsaid.
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Oct 12, 2018 02:30am
@M.Ramanathan Look whose talking, who spent the most on defense in the last few years? I'll let you answer the question.
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Oct 12, 2018 02:34am
@Ravi Its not how many toys you have, its how you play them. Make no mistake about it, don't go by the buying power, Pakistan stands ready for anyone willing to try, more than toys, you need heart and courage.
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Oct 12, 2018 02:55am
It would be a mistake if India captured Pakistani territory in a limited war since it would have to deal with the Muslim population of Pakistan. Therefore it is better to leave Pakistan alone and let it look after them.
A lot cheaper too.
The Nukes will turn to rust at some time.
Meanwhile, the juggernaut with an economy of $3 Trillion will land on the moon very soon.
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Oct 12, 2018 04:36am
@harmony - well politicians like to score browny points, but Pakistan is never the manifesto item. Modi did take credit after surgical strikes. But apart from that he doesn't mention pakistan. Can you please enlighten me when was the last time he mentioned Pakistan in any speech ? Last I remember was 3 months ago congratulating IK. Before that I don't even remember. And btw, right now it is election campaigning time for next year elections and in his every weekly speech he doesn't spend a minute on Pakistan.
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Oct 12, 2018 04:52am
@SHAHID SATTAR agree
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Oct 12, 2018 05:22am
Doing a ground work for GHQ to eat into 13th IMF bailout in 20 years. How can people be fooled so many times with same reason?
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Oct 12, 2018 05:33am
why do we keep bringing up kashmir in talks? they will not come to the table as one other opinion on dawn pointed out. the only time they will come is when they are much stronger than pakistan and can dictate terms. until then we are living in a fools world that india will talk and solve issues.
also remove reliance from the US..US and its allies are doing everything possible to bring down the Ik govt because it is not for sale !
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Oct 12, 2018 05:45am
Very true three should b no arms race.there should b race for prosperity of people.but till Pakistan was getting arms from Western countries in aid till it was not minding but now when no body giving in aid and they don't have money to buy fuel for this then they asking to stop it.
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Oct 12, 2018 05:49am
As per the Time magazine, Russia is the second most powerful country in the world after China. Being the world's second, most major superpower, it is pertinent to ask Russia to strike a balance in its ties in the region, without picking favorites just as China does.
China's trade with India is close to 100 billion dollars even while it has invested close to 60 billion in Pakistan, upfront.
With a population 1/6th that of India, it is still a pretty good deal.
We're all members of the SCO and shouldn't have to remind each other of what is important for our collective future and survival.
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Oct 12, 2018 05:50am
What balance of power are you talking about? There never was any. It's foolish on the part of Pakistan to equate itself with India. It's just wishful thinking. We have the money to buy. You don't have. You have no business to object.
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Oct 12, 2018 06:04am
You are not in the race kiddo. You have been ousted long ago but you never realised.
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Oct 12, 2018 06:10am
@Zoraiz Zafar Where do you get your news?
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Oct 12, 2018 06:16am
Sir you think any one cares about what you think!
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Oct 12, 2018 06:21am
Words are cheap. Why are you spending over 50% of your GDP on arms then? Bulk of thebudget should be spent on betterment of your population. And that is not the case.
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Oct 12, 2018 06:58am
Lovers of arms... Now simply you can't afford and that's why you don't want to get in race.... Let's play
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Oct 12, 2018 06:59am
The main objective of US is to scale down the Pakistan nuclear programme which is the circumstances is quite impossible. No political power in the country is strong enough to accept the demand of US to halt its tactical weapon programme which is in the advance stage.
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Oct 12, 2018 07:07am
You are not against it. You just can't afford it anymore
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Oct 12, 2018 07:17am
Paraplegics take part in Para Olympics. Where is the question of "race" with a country which has it's Forex reserves atleast 50 times more than Pakistan.
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Oct 12, 2018 07:53am
I hope this arms stability scheme if could have been implemented earlier neither British nor mugals could have conquered the subcontinent.
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Oct 12, 2018 07:56am
In this practical world being powerful is key to survival.No Marxism of equality works here, that is for books only.
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Oct 12, 2018 08:00am
You will be provided 48 high tech Chinese armed drones shortly by iron brother ,i guess that is for regional peace. Occupying Kargil , starting all the 3 wars was your way of maintaining peace. Your peace talks are nothing but sham and no one believes you however staunch support you get from China or Turkey.
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Oct 12, 2018 08:06am
We need to accept the reality that India is a country that has a population six times more than us. So for our politicians and army to keep talking of strategic parity is unrealistic and nonsensical. This does not make Pakistan inferior in any way. It is just accepting the reality that we are a much smaller country than India. If we foolishly keep trying to keep parity with India, we will have no money left for any other economic and social development, and we will be ruined. We should definitely have a strong military, but our sole objective should be to have a deterrence and defensive force, not to have parity with India.
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Oct 12, 2018 08:14am
we already lost a lot in arm race.. india is superior in everything just nuclear weapon dont make army superior.. we need solid arms to stay alert.. but can we afford them ?
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Oct 12, 2018 08:19am
Sour Grapes?
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Oct 12, 2018 08:22am
@Lahori kid heart and courage as you had shown in last four wars.
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Oct 12, 2018 08:26am
@Ayub from the time Pakistan started its nuclear program in around 1990 the expenditure was so much that it started facing economic hardship and was forced to approach IMF.
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Oct 12, 2018 08:32am
Yeah, it is because you cannot afford it and not because of realization or change of heart.
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Oct 12, 2018 09:03am
@Zoraiz Zafar Who told you that ? Pakistan is not a factor when it comes to elections in India, as neither of the major parties have any differential stance when it comes to Pakistan. On Pakistan all governments have behaved similarly, tried to make peace, and consequently hardened stance after getting back-stabbed.
Some politicians in some rally may rake up Pakistan, but no voter in India thinks about it while voting. And I am sure that is the case in Pakistan as well.
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Oct 12, 2018 09:06am
@sensible Your assessment of having Kashmir as a separate country assumes it will be left alone. Look at history, look at Afghanistan, consider Pakistan's history, and now look east there is China already grabbing Kashmir's territory.
The only viable future Kashmir has is with a democratic and strong India with violence ending, and people focusing on human development rather than living in the past.
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Oct 12, 2018 09:20am
India: Pakistan, India: China. Whose balance should not be disturbed?
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Oct 12, 2018 10:20am
@Mitzvah Kehimkar, Beersheba, Israel If 100% literacy rate is achieved by Pakistan, if 100% poverty has been eradicated by Pakistan, if Pakistan can produce so much electricity so that they should not be dependent on fossil fuel, Pakistan can really claim to be self dependent. We should not talk about arm race between these two countries.
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Oct 12, 2018 11:41am
India's rival is China, not Pakistan. In conventional warfare paradigms India is far ahead of Pakistan. The question of disturbing the balance between the two countries, therefore, doesn't arise.
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Oct 12, 2018 12:04pm
Yes agree.
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Oct 12, 2018 03:48pm
@Rebirth USA is the most powerful by far ...not China...not yet
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Oct 12, 2018 04:26pm
@Paras "Pakistan is not a factor when it comes to elections in India, as neither of the major parties have any differential stance when it comes to Pakistan." Why Pakistan is even discussed in India then? We have more Indians on Pakistani forums than Pakistanis themselves. India never appeared in any election campaign in Pakistan.
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Oct 12, 2018 04:28pm
@Lord Ickenham "You are not against it. You just can't afford it anymore" We have reached the minimum required, and just want to keep it that way.
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Oct 13, 2018 05:53am
@Rehman well said.
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Oct 14, 2018 05:31am
Balance of power with Pakistan? Really?
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