ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan remained fully confident in the strength of its comprehensive nuclear security regime and the robustness of its command and control structures, the Foreign Office spokesperson said on Thursday.
In response to a media query regarding remarks made by former US National Security Advissr John Bolton to an Indian media outlet, concerning Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement on Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, the spokesperson in a statement said, “It is ironic that John Bolton’s remarks were prompted by a statement from Rajnath Singh—a leader affiliated with a Hindu extremist organization, known for repeatedly issuing threats of aggression against Pakistan.”
In reality, he said the international community should be more concerned about India’s nuclear arsenal being controlled by individuals like Rajnath Singh, who harbor well-documented hostility toward Pakistan and Muslims, and exhibit dangerous delusions of grandeur.
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“The escalating radicalisation of India’s political landscape, media, and segments of its society raises legitimate nuclear security concerns. These concerns are further exacerbated by the persistence of a nuclear black market in India, highlighting serious deficiencies in its nuclear security framework — as evidenced by recurring incidents of theft and illicit trafficking of sensitive nuclear materials,” he added.
Last week, the Foreign Office had urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to investigate the ‘nuclear black market’ in India and repeated incidents of theft and illicit trafficking of radioactive material, as it rejected a call by India’s defence minister for the nuclear watchdog to monitor Islamabad’s nuclear programme.
Pointing to multiple incidents of radioactive material theft in India and other security lapses, the Foreign Office had said, “Pakistan urges a thorough investigation of these incidents and calls upon India to ensure the safety and security of its nuclear facilities and arsenal.”
“If anything, the IAEA and the international community should be worried about the repeated theft and illicit trafficking incidents involving nuclear and radioactive material in India.”
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The Foreign Office was responding to comments made by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during a speech to Indian soldiers in Srinagar, in which he said, “I believe that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons should be taken under the supervision of the IAEA.”
Singh’s remarks came days after the two nuclear-armed neighbours paused their worst military confrontation in nearly three decades following the Pahalgam attack, a militant assault that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based groups. Tensions spiked as cross-border exchanges escalated, prompting global concern over a potential nuclear flashpoint.
