Pakistan on Friday rejected the report that it has third-largest growing nuclear arsenal, terming it completely baseless. "As a nuclear state, Pakistan's policy is characterised by the utmost restraint and responsibility. We strictly abide by the concept of credible minimum deterrence and our nuclear programme is only aimed at maintaining peace and stability in South Asia," said Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah while responding to a question regarding a recently-released report about Pakistan's nuclear programme.
Rejecting the report's assertion that Pakistan has the fastest growing nuclear arsenal as utterly baseless, he said that Pakistan has no desire to engage in nuclear arms race. "Such reports have the effect of diverting attention from the exponential increase in India's fissile material stockpiles as a result of nuclear deals with a growing number of NSG countries and its destabilising consequences for the region," he added.
He pointed out that Pakistan has put forward several initiatives to promote conventional and strategic stability in South Asia, including the proposed Strategic Restraint Regime, but regrettably India has failed to respond positively. "Pakistan remains committed to the global objectives of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation," he added.