Lahore (Staff Report/Agencies): Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has stressed that the statement of Indian army chief on calling Pakistan’s ‘nuclear bluff’ was “irresponsible”.
Nuclear powers across the world show responsible behaviour but the statement proves that India is an “irresponsible nuclear power”, he said while speaking to media in Lahore on Sunday. The statements by Indian army chief and US President Donald Trump seek to pressurise Pakistan, he added.
Iqbal's remarks come a day after the Indian Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat threatened to call Pakistan's 'nuclear bluff'.
"If we will have to really confront the Pakistanis, and a task is given to us, we are not going to say we cannot cross the border because they have nuclear weapons. We will have to call their nuclear bluff," Gen Rawat had said.
Iqbal raised questions over the possibility of Indian inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, given the "irresponsible" statements made.
"What do the Indian army chief and [US President Donald] Trump's statements indicate?" he asked. "That external attempts are being made to pressure Pakistan."
In the face of such attempts, it is necessary that there is internal unity, Iqbal stressed.