Sanjha Morcha

Pakistan PM issues threat of short-range nuclear missiles

Pakistan PM issues threat of short-range nuclear missiles

Pakistan PM issues threat of short-range nuclear missiles
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

New York, September 21

Pakistan has developed short-range nuclear weapons to counter the ‘Cold Start’ doctrine of the Indian Army, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said today.On his maiden visit to the US as Pakistan Prime Minister, Abbasi also said that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal was safe and secure.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)
On the assertion that Pakistan had the fastest growing nuclear arsenal in the world, Abbasi said: “As far as tactical nuclear weapons (are concerned), we do not have any field tactical nuclear weapons.”“We have developed short-range nuclear weapons as a counter to the Cold Start doctrine that India has developed. Again, those are in the same command-and-control authority that controls the other strategic weapons,” Abbasi said in response to a question at the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think-tank.“We have a very robust and secure command-and-control system over our strategic nuclear assets. Time has proved that it’s a process that is very secure. It’s a process that has complete civilian oversight through the NCA,” Abbasi said. The Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) of Pakistan is responsible for command, control and operational decisions regarding the country’s nuclear arsenals. Abbasi said that the command-and-control systems they have in place are as secure as anybody else’s in the world.“The last 20 years are testament to that,” Abbasi said in response to another question.“So let there be no doubt that any extremist element or somebody like that can gain control of fissile material or a nuclear weapon. There is just no possibility of that. And it’s time-tested, and it’s a very secure system that has been put in place,” he said.The Pakistan premier sought to dispel the notion surrounding the country’s inability to handle its nuclear programmes properly.“We do have nuclear capability. There’s no doubt about that. And we know how to handle nuclear waste. We had a nuclear programme in the early ’60s, one of the first countries in Asia to have a nuclear programme. So if we’ve managed it for over 50-odd years, I think we can continue to manage it,” he said. — PTIWhat is ‘Cold Start’ doctrine

  • ‘Cold Start’ doctrine was developed by Indian Army for a possible war with Pakistan
  • Involves various branches of the Indian Army conducting offensive operations as part of unified battle groups
  • Intends to allow conventional forces to perform holding attacks to prevent N-retaliation from Pak

‘India has zero Afghan role’ Pakistan sees “zero” political or military role for India in Afghanistan, PM Abbasi said, weeks after US President Donald Trump sought more help from New Delhi to bring peace and stability in the war-torn country. “We don’t foresee any political or military role for India… it will complicate the situation,” Abbasi said. ‘Indus dispute can be resolved’The disputes between India and Pakistan over the Indus Waters Treaty can be resolved within the context of the agreement itself, Pakistan’s PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said. “That’s been our stance from day one, that the issue should be resolved as per the provisions of the agreement.