PM rejects ‘factually incorrect, misleading’ remarks of US president

Country’s nuclear assets have best safeguards as per IAEA requirements, Shehbaz tells Biden

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hit back at US President Joe Biden for calling Pakistan “one of the most dangerous nations in the world” while raising doubts over the country’s nuclear security.

In a tweet from his official handle on Saturday, PM Shehbaz ‘unequivocally reiterated’ that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and added that country’s nuclear assets have the best safeguards as per International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements.

“We take these safety measures with the utmost seriousness. Let no one have any doubts,” he added.

Let me reiterate unequivocally: Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and we are proud that our nuclear assets have the best safeguards as per IAEA requirements. We take these safety measures with the utmost seriousness. Let no one have any doubts.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 15, 2022

In a separate statement issued by the PM House, Premier Shehbaz termed the US president’s remarks as ‘factually incorrect and misleading’.

“Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven be a most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system.”

Pakistan has also consistently demonstrated responsible stewardship of its nuclear-weapons capability, marked by a very strong commitment to global standards, including those of IAEA on non-proliferation, safety, and security, the statement added.

PM Shehbaz said 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, repeated nuclear security incidents and arms race among leading nuclear weapon states and introduction of new security constructs that disturb regional balance.

“Pakistan and the US have a long history of friendly and mutually beneficial relationship. At a time, when the world is confronted by huge global challenges, it is critically important that genuine and durable efforts are made to recognise the real potential of Pakistan-US relationship, while avoiding unnecessary comments. It is our sincere desire to cooperate with the US to promote regional peace and security,” the premier was quoted as saying.

Also read: Pakistan to summon US ambassador, issue demarche over Biden's remarks

President Biden had said that Pakistan may be “one of the most dangerous nations in the world” as the country has “nuclear weapons without any cohesion”.

“And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion,” Biden was quoted as saying in a transcript of the address, published on the White House’s website.

Biden’s 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.

“And the truth of the matter is — I genuinely believe this — 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,” he added.

Meanwhile, Daily Mail reporter Rob Crilly quoted the White House press secretary as saying that President Biden did not say anything new about Pakistan’s nuclear safety.

“The president views a secure and prosperous Pakistan as critical to US interests,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre was quoted as saying.

On Air Force One, White House @PressSec is asked about president's comments on Pakistan last night. Says he was saying 'nothing new'
'The president views a secure and prosperous Pakistan as critical to US interests.'

— Rob Crilly (@robcrilly) October 15, 2022