SHEIKHUPURA: Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain turns upthe heat saying that Pakistan has advanced nuclear and missile technologythat can “target every city of India”, ARY has reported.
In a statement, the minister said that Indian army chief’s assertion wasirresponsible and threatening, adding that this statement would be takenseriously.
Tanveer said that neither the United States nor defence equipment procuredfrom it were reliable. He said Pakistan did a lot for the US, but it too isnot a trustworthy partner.
He went on to say that the defence items purchased from the US do not workwhen needed.
“Our defence production is increasing. The army’s 80 per cent needs arebeing met domestically,” said the defence production minister, adding thatPakistan is among 6-7 countries of the world that make their own fighteraircraft.
Talking to reporters in New Delhi on Saturday, Indian Army Chief BipinRawat dismissed assertions that Pakistani tactical nuclear weapons hadeffectively countered India’s ability to impose a conventional military waron Pakistan.
“We will call the (nuclear) bluff of Pakistan. If we will have to reallyconfront the Pakistanis, and a task is given to us, we are not going to saywe cannot cross the border because they have nuclear weapons. We will haveto call their nuclear bluff,” he said.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif called Rawat’s statement “veryirresponsible” the same day.
“[This] amounts to invitation for nuclear encounter. If that is what theydesire, they are welcome to test our resolve. The general’s doubt wouldswiftly be removed, inshallah [God willing],” Asif said in a tweet.