Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state: President Alvi

Nuclear weapons are a deterrent for a belligerent country across the border, says Alvi

President Arif Alvi reiterated that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and clarified that the country's atomic weapon arsenal is for peace, reported Al Jazeera.

“Pakistan has been a very responsible nuclear state,” said the president.

When asked if Pakistan ever planned to use its nuclear weapons, he responded by saying “Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are for peace, Pakistan has kept them as a deterrent”.

Pakistan in February assured the International Atomic Energy Agency it voluntarily implements the Guideline and Code of Conduct on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources and has been since 2005.



The Code of Conduct seeks to help countries ensure that radioactive sources are used in a manner consistent with the highest standards of safety and security.

The president went on to say that there is a belligerent country across the border which cannot be trusted and resists dialogue on international forums such as SAARC and clarified if any actors were antagonistic, it was those across the border.

Speaking of Pakistan’s experience with terrorism, Alvi lauded the Pakistan armed forces as the most experienced in the world stated that others should learn from their example of combatting terrorism.

Referring to Pak-China relations, Alvi said the two countries have been good friends for a long time and denied that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) ever had reservations about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

When asked about Pakistan’s position on alleged human rights abuses occurring in China – specifically reports that a million Muslims in northern China being kept in detention camps – Alvi categorically stated that Pakistan’s position is with the government of China.

“Pakistan believes that these bogeys are raised whenever any government is being pressurised... our government’s policy is that it is an internal matter of China – if there is something like that happening. We trust China to take care of its own people.”



On his personal role as president, Alvi said he wanted to ensure Pakistan jumps on the train of the fourth industrial revolution and to work for women’s rights – specifically inheritance.

“I believe the space religion provides to women is not being given by our culture and society. Women need employment and public spaces.”

The president also said he was not someone who denied global warming, rather, he wants to prepare his country to face it.