Statement on IMF, nuclear programme taken out of context: Dar

Days after apparently snubbing a demand to abandon Pakistan's long-range nuclear missiles programme, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday clarified that his comments regarding delay in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement were "quoted out of context".

Addressing a special session of Senate on March 16, Dar had said that nobody had any right to tell Pakistan what range of missiles it can have, while also pointing out the "uncustomary" attitude of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The minister’s highly unusual statement had come amid Pakistan’s renewed efforts to mend ties with China, which has lately saved Islamabad from default by refinancing two commercial loans.

“Nobody has any right to tell Pakistan what range of missiles it can have and what nuclear weapons it can have," Dar had remarked on the floor of the Upper House of Parliament last week.

"We have to have our own deterrence,” he had said.

'Comments not linked to IMF negotiations'

But, clarifying his statement today, the finance minister said comments on Pakistan's nuclear programme and long range missiles were not linked to the country's ongiing negotiations with the IMF in any way.

“My comment with regards to Pakistan’s nuclear programme was in response to a colleague Senator’s specific question, wherein, I emphasised that Pakistan has sovereign right to develop its nuclear programme, as it best suits our national interests, without any external dictation, which, by no means should in any way whatsoever be linked with the ongoing negotiations with the IMF,” the finance minister said in a statement earlier today.

He further said that neither the IMF nor any country had attached any conditionality or made any demand from Pakistan with regard to the country's nuclear capabilities.

"The delay in IMF staff level agreement is purely due to technical reasons, for which we are continuously engaged with the IMF in order to conclude it at the earliest,” he said.

Also read: Dar slams 'uncustomary' IMF attitude, snubs demand for abandoning long-range missiles

The finance mininster's comments last week was the first time that he had brought the issue of the range of nuclear missiles into the public sphere.

In private conversations, some Pakistani authorities have claimed that there has been a longstanding demand by a Western country to abandon the long-range nuclear missile programme.

Shaheen-III is Pakistan’s long-range nuclear missile having the capability to take nuclear warheads to 2,750 kilometer distance, covering the whole of India and parts of the Middle East.

Hours after Ishaq Dar’ statement on March 16, the Prime Minister’s Office had also issued a statement to clear the air about the nuclear programme and its safety.

“Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme is a national asset, which is jealously guarded by the State,” said the PM’s Office, adding that the "entire programme is totally secure, foolproof, and under no stress or pressure whatsoever".