Expressing satisfaction at the security and safety of the country’s strategic programmes and facilities, the National Command Authority (NCA), after in-depth consideration and evaluation, on Thursday decided that Pakistan will continue to pursue its policy of credible minimum deterrence as a responsible nuclear weapons state.
The decision was taken at an NCA meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. Members of the NCA, including federal ministers, the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, services chiefs, the NCA secretary and the SPD DG were also present.
Satisfied: The meeting also expressed confidence in the operational readiness of the country’s strategic weapons while it was also decided that appropriate counter measures would be taken to ensure the security of the nuclear installations and to maintain regional stability. The NCA comprehensively reviewed developments in the regional and global security environment.
It also undertook detailed appraisal of the international and regional trends and policies and their implications for Pakistan. The meeting expressed satisfaction at the security and safety of Pakistan’s strategic programmes and facilities. It also expressed confidence in the operational readiness of Pakistan’s strategic weapons. The NCA expressed concern over the continued pursuit of policies that detract from the globally shared norms and rules of equality, inclusiveness and objectivity.
The NCA cautioned that such policies represent regression in the non-proliferation regime and tend to erode the strategic balance in South Asia.
Programmes: As part of the energy security strategy, the NCA also reviewed and approved the futuristic, self-sustaining Nuclear Power Programme – 2050, to meet the existing energy shortfalls and to respond to the future requirements of a growing population and economy. The NCA emphasised the need to focus on socio-economic development of the people as a foremost priority. The NCA also approved Pakistan’s Space Programme – 2040 in order to bring the benefits of the full spectrum of space technology to the people of Pakistan.
Addressing the meeting, Gilani expressed his government’s firm resolve to protect the country’s strategic and nuclear assets at all costs. He pointed out a number of challenges the country was facing due to the global political and security trends, saying, “Our detractors are working over time to malign Pakistan as well as our nuclear and strategic assets.”
He said his government remains firm in its resolve to tide over these challenges. “Promoting and protecting national interests of Pakistan is a sacred responsibility and we will never fail in this noble duty,” he said. The prime minister said the recent incidents in Abbottabad and the PNS Mehran base had raised concerns on the safety and security of the country’s strategic assets. He pointed to the simultaneous propaganda onslaught against Pakistan and its nuclear programme.
“Such baseless, and certainly motivated, campaign against Pakistan will neither deter us from proceeding ahead sure – footed with our strategic programme nor succeed in undermining our national will.” He said Pakistan’s strategic programme was for national defence and deterrence. “We have not, and will never pursue an aggressive nuclear posturing or misadventure. At the same time, we will take all necessary measures to ensure the reliability and credibility of our minimum nuclear deterrence.”
