ISLAMABAD- Pakistan says the allegations of “clandestine or illegal nuclearactivities” leveled by Spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of ExternalAffairs are baseless, malicious, and part of New Delhi’ disinformationcampaign aimed at diverting attention from its own irresponsible conduct.
This was stated by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign AffairsTahir Andrabi while responding to a media question that referred to thestatement made by the Spokesperson of Indian Ministry of External Affairstoday and asked how does Pakistan interpret India’s attempt to linkPresident Donald Trump’s comment on nuclear testing with allegations aboutPakistan’s past nuclear record and if Pakistan wishes to take up the matterof nuclear testing with the United States.
The Spokesperson said India is clearly distorting facts and misrepresentingthe remarks of US President Donald Trump. The US side has already clarifiedits position to the media regarding the statements by the President.
Tahir Andrabi said for the record, Pakistan’s last nuclear tests wereconducted in May 1998. Our position on nuclear testing is well establishedand consistent. Pakistan has been supporting United Nations GeneralAssembly resolutions calling for a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing. Incontrast, India’s abstentions on these resolutions reflect its ambiguousand questionable intentions on future nuclear testing.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson said Pakistan’s nuclear program operatesunder a robust command and control structure, comprehensive exportcontrols, and an impeccable record of compliance with the globalnon-proliferation regime. Allegations of “clandestine or illegal nuclearactivities” are baseless, malicious, and part of India’s disinformationcampaign aimed at diverting attention from its own irresponsible conduct.
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He said India’s record on nuclear safety and security remains deeplyconcerning. Over the past several decades, numerous incidents involving thetheft and illicit trafficking of sensitive nuclear material and otherradioactive substances have exposed serious deficiencies in India’s abilityto safeguard its facilities.
The Spokesperson further said as recently as last year, radioactiveequipment from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), along with thehighly radioactive substance Californium-valued at over USD 100 million-was found on sale in India.
Tahir Andrabi said such recurring incidents of theft and illicit sale pointto the existence of a thriving nuclear black market for sensitive anddual-use materials in India. He said the international community must takeserious note of these alarming gaps, which pose a grave threat to bothregional and global security.