Pakistan has taken its responsibilities as a nuclear weapon state seriously. "We have not relented in our pursuit for creating a peaceful global and regional environment," said Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the 10th anniversary of the nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan in 1998. May 28, was a historic day in the nation's quest for security.
We have endeavoured bilaterally and multilaterally, to promote the cause of peace, disarmament and non-proliferation, urging restraint and responsibility at the regional plane. Pakistan has initiated additional proposals for mutual confidence building as well and promoting regional stability after reviewing the 4th round of Composite Dialogue process, it said.
An elaborate Nuclear Command and Control mechanism was put in place in February 2000. The National Command Authority (NCA) oversees custodial controls of all strategic assets. Pakistan has also undertaken strong export control measures, which are at par with international standards.
Islamabad is opposed to a nuclear arms race in South Asia. It is significant that in the joint statement issued after the first round of Nuclear CBMs held between Pakistan and India in June 2004, both sides recognised that "nuclear capabilities of each other, which are based on their national security imperatives, constitute a factor for stability." While continuing to act with responsibility and avoiding an arms race, Pakistan will neither be oblivious to its security requirements, nor to its economic development needs.
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