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‘Pakistan can’t be forced to abandon nukes’

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Sunday that no country could force Pakistan to abandon its nuclear programme.

Dismissing apprehensions that international powers might deprive Pakistan of its nuclear capability, he said that Pakistan had a world-class command and control authority over its nuclear programme.

There was no possibility of Pakistan’s nuclear assets falling into terrorist hands he added. “Don’t underestimate us. We know how to protect ourselves and our assets,” Aziz said while replying to questions during a seminar at the International Islamic University (IIU) of Malaysia. And we will protect our nuclear assets.”

The prime minister said that Pakistan had achieved nuclear capability to maintain the balance of power in South Asia, and the nuclear programme had been initiated after India conducted nuclear tests in 1974.

Asked what Pakistan’s response would be in case it was forced to abandon its nuclear programme, Aziz said that Pakistan’s nuclear programme was a source of pride for the entire Muslim nation.

“Pakistan was called a failed state six years ago,” he said, adding that Musharraf’s policies had put the country on the track of economic, social and political development.

“We don’t need to take lessons on democracy from anyone,” the prime minister said in response to a questioner criticising the military’s role in Pakistan. shahzad raza

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