Biden\u2019s \u2018unwarranted\u2019 remarks on nuclear programme
\nPM Shehbaz terms President Biden\u2019s statement \u2018factually incorrect\u2019
\nISLAMABAD
\nThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Saturday handed a \u201cstrong\u201d demarche to US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome following President Joe Biden\u2019s \u201cmisleading\u201d remarks over Islamabad\u2019s nuclear programme.
\nActing Foreign Secretary Jauhar Saleem called in the US ambassador to deliver the demarche, the ministry said, adding that Pakistan\u2019s disappointment and concern were conveyed to the US envoy on the unwarranted remarks.
\nThe remarks, a statement from the ministry mentioned, were not based on ground reality or facts.
\nThe secretary made it clear that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and its impeccable stewardship of the nuclear program and adherence to global standards and international best practices was well acknowledged, including by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
\n\u201cIt was essential to maintain the positive trajectory of Pakistan-US relations and the close cooperation between the two sides to build regional and global peace,\u201d the ministry added.
\nThe development comes after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly protested against Biden\u2019s controversial remarks.
\n\u2018Factually incorrect and misleading\u2019
\nThe prime minister, in a statement earlier today, said: \u201cPakistan rejects the remarks reportedly made by the US President, which are factually incorrect and misleading.\u201d
\nPM 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.
\nHe added that Pakistan has also consistently demonstrated responsible stewardship of its nuclear-weapons capability, marked by a very strong commitment to global standards, including those of the IAEA on non-proliferation, safety, and security.
\nThe prime minister said that the real threat to international peace and security is posed by ultra-nationalism, violation of human rights in regions that are struggling against illegal occupation, violation of global norms by some states, and repeated nuclear security incidents.
\nArms race among leading nuclear weapon states and the introduction of new security constructs that disturb the regional balance also pose a threat to peace, he said.
\nPM Shehbaz said that Pakistan and the US have a long history of a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship and it was imperative that the ties remain unhindered.
\n\u201cAt 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 the Pakistan-US relationship while avoiding unnecessary comments,\u201d he said.
\nThe prime minister said that it was Pakistan\u2019s sincere desire to cooperate with the US to promote regional peace and security.
\n\u2018Fully capable of safeguarding nuclear weapons\u2019
\nHours before the prime minister\u2019s statement, FM Bilawal had confirmed during a press conference in Karachi that Pakistan would summon the US ambassador to the Foreign Office and give him a demarche.
\n\u201cWe 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,\u201d Bilawal said.
\n\u201cPakistan is adamant about ensuring its integrity and safety. Security questions, if any, should be raised on the nuclear weapons of India that recently fired a missile into Pakistani territory by accident.\u201d
\nFM Bilawal said he had discussed President Biden\u2019s statement with PM Shehbaz in detail and hoped this incident would not affect Pakistan-US relations negatively.
\n\u201cThis is not only irresponsible and unsafe but raises serious concerns about the safety of nuclear-capable countries. Biden\u2019s remarks came as a surprise. I believe such misunderstandings are a result of a lack of engagement,\u201d the foreign minister said.
\nOn the sensitivity of Biden\u2019s remarks, Bilawal, however, added it was not an official function and it wasn\u2019t an address to the parliament or an interview.
\n\u201cIt was a fundraiser. It was an informal conversation in which this sentence was used so it should be [looked at] in this manner, I think we will look at this statement in this way,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u2018Nuclear weapons without any cohesion\u2019
\nBiden had earlier today said Pakistan may be \u201cone of the most dangerous nations in the world\u201d as the country has \u201cnuclear weapons without any cohesion\u201d.
\nThe US president made the comments while addressing a Democratic congressional campaign committee reception on Thursday.
\n\u201cAnd what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion,\u201d Biden was quoted as saying in a transcript of the address, published on the White House\u2019s website.
\nBiden\u2019s remarks were made with regard to the changing geopolitical situation globally, as he highlighted that the world was changing rapidly, and countries were rethinking their alliances.
\n\u201cAnd the truth of the matter is \u2014 I genuinely believe this \u2014 that the world is looking to us. Not a joke. Even our enemies are looking to us to figure out how we figure this out, what we do,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
PTI lambastes government
\nIn response to the remarks, PTI Chairman Imran Khan held the incumbent rulers responsible, saying it shows the total failure of the \u201cimported government\u2019s\u201d foreign policy.
\nTerming the US president\u2019s comments as an \u201cunwarranted conclusion\u201d of Pakistan\u2019s nuclear programme, the former premier asked about the information Biden got to make such a statement on the country\u2019s capability, and added: \u201c\u2026.having been PM, I know we have one of the most secure nuclear command & control systems\u201d.
\n\u201cUnlike the US which has been involved in wars across the world, when has Pakistan shown aggression esp post-nuclearisation?\u201d he further asked. \u201cIs this the \u2018reset\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Biden\u2019s \u2018unwarranted\u2019 remarks on nuclear programme PM Shehbaz terms President Biden\u2019s statement \u2018factually incorrect\u2019 ISLAMABAD The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Saturday handed a \u201cstrong\u201d demarche to US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome following President Joe Biden\u2019s \u201cmisleading\u201d remarks over Islamabad\u2019s nuclear programme. Acting Foreign Secretary Jauhar Saleem called in the US ambassador to deliver […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":289512,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[11083,20,11082],"class_list":{"0":"post-289476","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news","8":"tag-demarches","9":"tag-pakistan","10":"tag-us-envoy"},"yoast_head":"\n