stability: PakBy Sajjad HussainIslamabad, Dec 21 (PTI) Pakistan's nuclear command bodytoday voiced concern over what it termed as the "destabilisingactions" in the "neighbourhood" that threatened the strategicstability in South Asia, in an apparent reference to India.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the 23rdmeeting of the National Command Authority (NCA), which wasbriefed comprehensively on the strategic environment, said astatement by the Prime Minister's Office.
It said that the NCA took stock of the regional securityenvironment and "noted with concern certain destabilisingactions in Pakistan's neighborhood, which undermine theobjective of maintaining strategic stability in South Asia.""These include the massive arms build-up in theconventional domain, nuclearisation of the Indian Ocean Regionand plans for the development/deployment of Ballistic MissileDefence system," it said.
While expressing full confidence in Pakistan's capabilityto address any form of aggression, the NCA reiteratedPakistanÂ’s policy of developing and maintaining Full SpectrumDeterrence, in line with the policy of Credible MinimumDeterrence and avoidance of arms race.
It appreciated the technological sophisticationdemonstrated during the tests of Babur III submarine-launchedcruise missile and Ababeel Missile System.
The NCA took a detailed review of the Nuclear SecurityRegime and expressed full confidence in command and controlsystems and security measures in-place to ensure comprehensivestewardship and security of strategic assets and materials.
It said that as a responsible nuclear state, Pakistanwould continue to contribute meaningfully towards the globalefforts to improve nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation measures.
The NCA asserted that Pakistan desires peaceful co-existence in the region and will endeavor to work with itsneighbors to ensure strategic stability in South Asia.
It noted with satisfaction, the implementation ofnational comprehensive export control measures, which are inline with international export control regimes.
It reiterated that Pakistan has the requisite credentialsto become part of various non-proliferation regimes, includingthe Nuclear Suppliers Group, for which Pakistan seeks adoptionof a non-discriminatory criteria based approach.
The NCA was also briefed on National Space Programme –2047 and 'Nuclear Power Programme' for peaceful uses ofnuclear technology, to meet growing energy needs. It fullyendorsed both programmes.
The role of nuclear applications in the fields of health,agriculture, medicine and industry was deeply appreciated.
The NCA reiterated Pakistan's interest in expandinginternational cooperation in these areas and play a positiverole towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The meeting was attended by the ministers of Defence andInterior, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Chief ofArmy Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, DirectorGeneral Strategic Plans Division, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence and other senior officials. PTI SHZH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.