ISLAMABAD – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday “our nuclear assets have the best safeguards as per IAEA requirements” and no one should have any doubt about it.
Sharif’s statement came hours after US President Joe Bide said Pakistan’s nuclear weapons were “without any cohesion”. A transcript of Biden’s speech available on the White House’s website quoted him as saying in the context of the changing geopolitical situation, “… And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion.”
Without naming Biden or referring to the United States of America, Sharif wrote on Twitter, “Let me reiterate unequivocally: Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and we are proud that our nuclear assets have the best safeguards as per IAEA requirements. We take these safety measures with the utmost seriousness. Let no one have any doubts.”
Let me reiterate unequivocally: Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and we are proud that our nuclear assets have the best safeguards as per IAEA requirements. We take these safety measures with the utmost seriousness. Let no one have any doubts.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 15, 2022
Earlier, self-exiled former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif too came forward in defence of the safeguards Pakistan has put in place for the safety of its nuclear weapons.
Nawaz Sharif, who is a three-time former prime minister of Pakistan and elder brother of the incumbent Pakistani prime minister, took to Twitter to respond to the aspersions cast by Biden on the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear assets.
Nawaz Sharif wrote, “Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state that is perfectly capable of safeguarding its national interest whilst respecting international law and practices. Our nuclear program is in no way a threat to any country. Like all independent states, Pakistan reserves the right to protect its autonomy, sovereign statehood and territorial integrity.”
…Pakistan reserves the right to protect its autonomy, sovereign statehood and territorial integrity.
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— Nawaz Sharif (@NawazSharifMNS) October 15, 2022