Pakistan was obliged to develop nuclear capability: foreign secretary

Aizaz Chaudhry says it was an existential choice that Pakistan made to preserve strategic stability in South Asia

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said on Thursday Pakistan was obliged to develop nuclear capability for self-defence and deterrence.

“"It was an existential choice that Pakistan made to preserve strategic stability in South Asia,” Chaudhry said on the sidelines of an event at the 70th UN General Assembly.

Read: UNGA address: Nawaz offers four-point peace roadmap to India

The foreign secretary assured non-discriminatory, universal and general nuclear disarmament remains the highest priority on the international security agenda for Pakistan.

Reiterating Pakistan's stance and acknowledgement of the nuclear policy, Chaudhry said, "The pursuit of peace and stability in South Asia through the resolution of all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir issue, remains the cornerstone of the country's policy."

Read: Nawaz to raise Kashmir issue in UN speech

Further Chaudhry reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to the goal of elimination of nuclear weapons through a global, verifiable and non-discriminatory legal instrument.