ISLAMABAD – Director General ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor has saidPakistan’s nuclear arsenal is a deterrence tool to prevent wars in theregion.
In an interview with a Russian news agency, he said Pakistan holds theposition that this capability eliminates the possibility of conventionalwar. No sane country having this capability would talk about using it.
Asif Ghafoor also pointed out Pakistan will take steps towardsnon-proliferation of nuclear arms but only if India does the same.
Pakistan will undertake anything, which is based on equality. He said thehands of Pakistan cannot be tied while keeping those of India open.
DG ISPR rejected India’s claim that Pakistan used US made F-16 to downIndian aircraft, stating that JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft developedjointly with China were used in the recent conflict. He, however, stressedthat the country would use whatever it deemed necessary if it came tolegitimate self-defense.
Referring to the standoff with India, Major General Asif Ghafoor said theIndian jets violated the Pakistani airspace on February 26, droppingpayloads without inflicting any casualties or damage to infrastructure.
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Asif Ghafoor said whilst staying within our airspace, we first chose andlocked the targets. He said Pakistan only wanted to tell the Indians thatthe country has the capability to hit. He said Pakistan has the footage ofthe operation.
Asif Ghafoor said Pakistan would welcome including that of Russia, whichcan bring peace in the region.
The DG ISPR said Pakistan valued Russia’s role in the Afghan settlementprocess and recognized its importance in regional processes.
On military cooperation with Russia, the DG ISPR said Pakistan isnegotiating defence industry cooperation with Moscow in the areas ofaviation, air defense systems and anti-tank missiles.
