NCA says arms build-up destabilising region

Reviews evolving conflict dynamics in region; says Pakistan will take measures to ensure strategic stability

ISLAMABAD:

The National Command Authority (NCA) reviewed evolving conflict dynamics in the region and noted with concern the destabilising massive arms build-up in the conventional and strategic domains, said an official press release issued here on Wednesday.

The NCA met at the Strategic Plans Division, with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair. The meeting was attended by foreign, defence, finance and interior ministers, joint chiefs of staff committee chairman, chiefs of army, navy and air force; and director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The meeting expressed full confidence in the command-and-control systems as well as security measures in place to ensure comprehensive security of strategic assets of Pakistan.

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It re-affirmed that Pakistan, as a responsible nuclear state, would continue to contribute meaningfully towards the global efforts to improve nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation measures.

The NCA received a detailed briefing on the evolving conflict dynamics in the region. “NCA noted with concern the destabilising massive arms build-up in the conventional and strategic domains,” said the press released.

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“The NCA viewed these developments as detrimental to peace and security and asserted that Pakistan will take all measures to ensure the strategic stability in the region without entering into an arms race,” the release added.

The participants of the NCA meeting reiterated maintaining full spectrum deterrence in line with the policy of credible minimum deterrence and expressed satisfaction on the development of strategic capabilities.

The NCA appreciated high standards of training and operational readiness of the strategic forces, and appreciated the scientists and engineers whose dedicated contributions had enabled Pakistan to successfully pursue the desired objectives.