Pakistan's nuclear programme fully secure, capable to counter threats, says Sartaj

ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's special advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that Pakistan's nuclear programme is highly secure and capable to respond to all threats.

Addressing a seminar titled "Pakistan's non-proliferation efforts and strategic export control system" in Islamabad, the Adviser said Pakistan is committed to nuclear security and has been proactively engaged with the international community to promote nuclear safety and security.

Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan is a peace loving country but it was compelled to get nuclear deterrence in the face of growing threat to its security and integrity after Indian nuclear tests. However, he maintained, Pakistan remains committed to nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

He said Indian fleet of nuclear submarine and Cold Start doctrine pose serious threat to the region. All these developments have compelled Pakistan to maintain minimum nuclear deterrence.

Later, talking to media persons, the Adviser said Pakistan requires F-16 fighter jets from the United States to combat terrorists.

He said though the US has stopped funding for the fighter jets but it is providing annually 265 million dollars to Pakistan.

To a question, the Adviser said the quadrilateral coordination group is in contact with the Qatar office of Taliban for the revival of peace process in Afghanistan.