Islamabad (Agencies): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that Pakistan reject the remarks reportedly made by United States (US) President Joe Biden which ‘are factually incorrect and misleading’.
"Over the past decades, Pakistan has proven be a most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system," a press statement of the PM Office media wing quoted the prime minister as saying.
The statement said that Pakistan had also consistently demonstrated responsible stewardship of its nuclear-weapons capability, marked by a very strong commitment to global standards, including those of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on non-proliferation, safety, and security, the statement said.
In a separate tweet, the prime minister unequivocally reiterated that Pakistan 'is a responsible nuclear state' and no one should have any doubts in this regard.
PM Shehbaz said that we proud that our nuclear assets had the best safeguards as per requirements of the IAEA.
"We take these safety measures with the utmost seriousness. Let no one have any doubts,” the prime minister further said.
The real threat to the international peace and security was posed by ultra-nationalism, violation of human rights in the regions that were struggling against illegal occupation, violation of global norms by some states, repeated nuclear security incidents and arms race among leading nuclear weapon states and introduction of new security constructs that disturbed the regional balance.
"Pakistan and the US have a long history of friendly and mutually beneficial relationship. At a time, when the world is confronted by huge global challenges, it is critically important that genuine and durable efforts are made to recognize the real potential of Pakistan-US relationship, while avoiding unnecessary comments.
It is our sincere desire to cooperate with the US to promote regional peace and security," it was further added.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said that Pakistan has summoned Ambassador of the United States (US) to Pakistan Donald Blome for an official demarche following US President Joe Biden’s remarks regarding the country’s nuclear assets.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, the foreign minister said that Pakistan’s nuclear assets "meet each and every international standard in accordance with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as far as security and safety is concerned”.
"If there is any question as to nuclear safety, then they should be directed to our neighbor India, who very recently accidentally fired a missile into Pakistani territory.
"This is not only irresponsible and unsafe but raises genuine and serious concerns about the safety of nuclear-capable countries," he pointed out.
FM Bilawal said that Pakistan had embarked on a “journey of engagement” and just marked the 75th anniversary of bilateral engagements with the US.
"We will make sure our engagements with the US continue in the right direction," the foreign minister said.
The development comes after comes after US President Joe Biden said that Pakistan may be a 'dangerous nation', alleging that the country's nuclear programme lacks "cohesion".
The US President made the remarks while addressing a Democratic congrressional campaign committee reception on Thursday.
"And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion." Biden was quoted as saying in a transcript of the address, published on the White House’s website.
The remarks by the US president were made with regard to the changing geopolitical situation globally, as he highlighted that the world was changing rapidly, and countries were rethinking their alliances.