Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that there is no justification of the sanctions imposed by the United States (US) on our National Development Complex (NDC) and other entities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his address to the federal cabinet in Islamabad, emphasized Pakistan’s resolute commitment to its nuclear deterrent, underscoring that it is vital for the country’s defense.
He made it clear that Pakistan has "absolutely no intention for our nuclear system to be aggressive. It is 100 per cent for Pakistan’s defence. It’s just deterrence; nothing else."
PM Shehbaz also stated that Pakistan’s ballistic missile program is purely for self-defense, particularly
"if God forbid there is aggression against Pakistan." The prime minister stressed that these capabilities are not merely the concern of the government or its officials but are deeply valued by the people of Pakistan, declaring, "It’s dearer to them (the public) than their own hearts and there will be no compromise." He firmly asserted that the nation stands united on this matter.
The statement came in the wake of the US imposing additional sanctions on Pakistan, targeting entities allegedly contributing to the country’s ballistic missile program. In response, the Foreign Office called the sanctions "biased" and said they "endanger regional and international peace."
The US further raised concerns about Pakistan’s missile capabilities, with Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer claiming the development of long-range missiles could potentially reach targets "well beyond South Asia, including in the United States."
Pakistan’s Foreign Office swiftly rejected these allegations, with spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch describing them as "unfounded, [and] devoid of rationality and sense of history." Baloch reaffirmed that
Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities are "solely meant to deter and thwart a clear and visible existential threat from our neighbourhood and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country."
Prime Minister Shehbaz also addressed the recent surge in terrorism within Pakistan, citing a tragic attack in which 17 security personnel were martyred.
He acknowledged the sacrifices of security forces, noting that eight terrorists were eliminated in the same operation.
PM Shehbaz reiterated the government’s resolve to continue using all available resources in collaboration with provincial governments to eliminate terrorism, vowing that they would not "sit idle until the objective was achieved."
The prime minister criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial government for focusing on marches to Islamabad rather than addressing internal security issues, especially in the context of sectarian violence in the region.
On the political front, the prime minister spoke of the government’s efforts to engage in dialogue with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He expressed optimism that these talks would lead to positive outcomes, promoting peace and economic stability.
PM Shehbaz said that the first round of discussions had taken place, and a second round was scheduled for January 2025.
The prime minister highlighted that the success of these talks would depend on both parties setting aside personal grievances and focusing on national interests. As he put it, "I do not doubt anyone’s intentions. I hope both PTI and the government will bring about the outcomes for the country’s benefits and promote the economic stability."
PM Shehbaz also shared positive developments in Pakistan’s foreign relations, particularly with Bangladesh.
Referring to his meetings with Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Dr Yunus, and the presidents of Indonesia and Turkiye on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit in Cairo, he pointed out that Pakistan-Bangladesh ties were entering a new phase, as Bangladesh had abolished "erstwhile 100% scanning of Pakistan’s export products" and established a "special desk at airports for screening Pakistani passport holders."
He also mentioned that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar would visit Dhaka in February, further strengthening bilateral relations.
