Nuclear programme: Pakistan hands over demarche to US ambassador over Biden's 'misleading' remarks

Islamabad: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Saturday demarched US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome after President Joe Biden issued "misleading" remarks over Pakistan's nuclear assets.

Sources told GNN that the ministry informed the envoy of Pakistan's stance asked him to seek an explanation from the US president for his statement.

They said the Mr Blome had been informed that Pakistan's atomic assets were in safe hands. 

The development comes after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly protested against Biden's controversial remarks.

US President Joe Biden had earlier today said Pakistan may be “one of the most dangerous nations in the world” as the country has “nuclear weapons without any cohesion”.

PM Shehbaz rejects remarks

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement earlier today, said: "Pakistan rejects the remarks reportedly made by the US President, which are factually incorrect and misleading," 

PM Shehbaz said over the past decades, Pakistan has proven to be the most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system.

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

“Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven be a most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system,” a press statement of the PM Office Media Wing quoted the prime minister as saying.

Pakistan had also consistently demonstrated responsible stewardship of its nuclear-weapons capability, marked by a very strong commitment to global standards, including those of IAEA on non-proliferation, safety, and security, the statement said.

In a separate tweet, the prime minister unequivocally reiterated that Pakistan ‘is a responsible nuclear state’ and no one should have any doubts in this regard.

The prime minister said that they were proud that their nuclear assets had the best safeguards as per requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“We take these safety measures with the utmost seriousness. Let no one have any doubts,” the prime minister further posted in his tweet.

The real threat to the international peace and security was posed by ultra-nationalism, violation of human rights in the regions that were struggling against illegal occupation, violation of global norms by some states, repeated nuclear security incidents and arms race among leading nuclear weapon states and introduction of new security constructs that disturbed the regional balance.

“Pakistan and the US have a long history of friendly and mutually beneficial relationship. At a time, when the world is confronted by huge global challenges, it is critically important that genuine and durable efforts are made to recognize the real potential of Pakistan-US relationship, while avoiding unnecessary comments. It is our sincere desire to cooperate with the US to promote regional peace and security,” it was further added.

According to a transcript of the White House published on its website, President Biden at a Democratic Congressional campaign committee reception yesterday, had remarked ‘what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion’.

FO to issue demarche: Bilawal

Earlier, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari told a press conference in Karachi that the US ambassador would be summoned to the Foreign Office for handong over a demarche.

Live: Chairman PPP & Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari addressing a press conference at Bilawal House KHI https://t.co/KkIeXWruY5

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) October 15, 2022

“We are fully capable of safeguarding our nuclear weapons, and they meet every international standard in accordance with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) as far as security and safety is concerned,” Bilawal said.