RAWALAPINDI: Pakistan Army’s Corps Commanders have expressed full confidence in country’s robust nuclear command and control system, saying Islamabad has taken all steps necessary to buttress its nuclear atomic regime.

This was outcome of 252nd Corps Commanders’ Conference which was held at General Headquarters (GHQ) with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa in chair, said a statement issued by ISPR.

Participants took a comprehensive review of prevailing internal and external security situation and operational preparedness of Army. Forum was apprised of Army’s assistance to civil administration for relief and rehabilitation efforts in flood-affected areas and post-flood situation particularly in Sindh and Balochistan. While expressing satisfaction over operational preparedness of formations, COAS reiterated Pakistan Army’s resolve to defend motherland against all threats. Forum reposed full confidence in Pakistan’s robust nuclear command and control structure and security arrangements related to country’s strategic assets. As a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan has taken all measures necessary to strengthen its nuclear security regime, at par with international best practices, forum was informed. COAS lauded formations’ operational readiness and sustained efforts during flood relief duties. Reassurance about nuclear safety system came after US President Joe Biden remarks about Pakistan’s atomic weapons. He made remarks during a Democratic congressional campaign committee reception last Thursday while speaking about changing geopolitical situation globally.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected US Biden’s comments as “factually incorrect and misleading”. Pakistan had proven to be a “most responsible nuclear state” over the past decades whose nuclear programme was managed through a “technically sound and foolproof command and control system”, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office quoted him as saying.

Last Friday, US Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the US president viewed a “secure and prosperous” Pakistan as “critical” to its interests. She added that there was “nothing new” to his remarks as he had made similar comments before too.

More recently, US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told journalists in Washington shortly after a meeting between Ambassador Masood Khan and Counselor Derek Chollet on Monday that America was confident of Pakistan’s ability to keep its nuclear assets safe and secure.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 19 2022

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