Pakistan deeply concerned over building of secret nuclear city by India

• India has ‘miserably failed to isolate Pakistan’: FO
• Indian accumulation of nuclear material a threat to the region

Pakistan on Thursday accused India for accumulating a “stockpile of fissile material” for producing nuclear weapons “outside the IAEA safeguards” which threatens the security of “entire region” especially Pakistan as its main target.

The accusation was made by Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakria during the weekly briefing held here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Zakria went on to allege that India was also building a “secret nuclear city” in South India, which according to Foreign Policy investigative report, is to produce “thermonuclear weapons”.

“India completed its plan of nuclear triad recently with the commissioning of nuclear capable submarine. It has been building inter-continental ballistic missiles and anti-ballistic missile system. Indian defence build-up, both nuclear and conventional, is a direct threat to Pakistan and the region, at large,” he asserted.

He said that with conventional weapons balance already disturbed, India’s nuclear weapons build-up has dangerous proportions to tip the strategic balance and endanger the peace of the region and beyond.

“The perils of such an uncalled for defence build-up should be seen in the backdrop of Indian Defence Minister’s statement on reviewing the ‘nuclear no-first use’ and admission by the Indian Army Chief about their ‘Cold Start doctrine’, which confirmed Pakistan’s claims and justified our credible minimum nuclear deterrence,” said Mr Zakria while responding to several questions.

With reference to the statement of the Indian Prime Minister about isolating Pakistan, the spokesman said that India has “miserably failed to isolate Pakistan”. “In the process, India itself stood exposed and may be feeling isolated. We have a number of events and incidents to quote where they tried to isolate Pakistan, but could not succeed. I am not going into the details. I think it is very unfortunate on the part of India that instead of responding to the positive gestures, which Pakistan has been showing to resolve the issues peacefully and amicably, India has adopted a hostile posture, which is detrimental to the regional peace and stability”.

He said the recent military exercises of Pakistan are regularly held and a number of countries are participating in it, including Russia.

“You are also aware of the events, which are happening in this part of the world, and how Pakistan is interacting with the International Community. You have also seen the outcome of many high level visits from and to Pakistan”.

The foreign office spokesman urged the international community to take note and check Indian rapid expansion in conventional and nuclear weapons. He said India was constantly violating ceasefire at the line of control (LoC), which resulted in the loss of lives of the innocent civilians.

“Indian belligerence continues to pose threat to the peace in the region, which the international community should take note of. Indian occupation forces have placed Hurriyat leaders under arrest to keep them from observing peaceful protest on the anniversary of Afzal Guru, a case of miscarriage of justice. India Army soldiers barged into a coaching centre in Lassipura village of Pulwama district on Tuesday and thrashed students and teachers mercilessly. The students were dragged out and beaten ruthlessly with guns injuring many. Indian police vandalized J&K Liberation Front office in Kupwara district,” he added.

The spokesman also strongly condemned the killing of six innocent Afghan Red Cross workers in an attack. “We condole and sympathise with the bereaved families,” he added.

About the deportations of Pakistani nationals from Saudi Arabia and the West, the spokesman said it is not specific to Pakistan but the nationals of various other countries also get deported regularly.

About a query on relationship with new administration in the United States of America under President Donald Trump, Nafees Zakria said Pakistan was in touch with the new administration in DC.

“We have been assured that no proposal to include Pakistan in the list of banned countries is under consideration,” he added.