Aziz Ahmed Chaudhry says no compromise on nukes at all

Pakistan foreign secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry has said that any compromise on the country’s nuclear programme was non-negotiable and Pakistan had made it clear to the world.

In an interview to state run Pakistan Television, he said that matters like nuclear safety and arms control in the region could be deliberated over at any forum.

Mr Chaudhry said Pakistan’s nuclear program was solely aimed at deterring any aggression from the Indian side.

The foreign secretary said Pakistan is ready to discuss every issue with India on dialogue table but without any pre-condition and on the basis of mutual respect.

Regarding the issue of border management with Afghanistan, Mr Chaudhry said both the countries have agreed on a mechanism to discuss the issue.

To a question about the impact of Brexit vote in the UK on Pakistani community there, he said Pakistan respects the decision of the people of the Britain and the cordial ties between the two countries would continue. Commenting about Pakistan’s membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), he said the country had signed the memorandums of understanding (MoUs) that would now be ratified by the parliamentarians of the six SCO member states.

To another query, the foreign secretary said that Pakistan will continue efforts to muster the support of the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) members for its membership. Being a responsible nuclear country, Pakistan fully qualifies for membership of the nuclear club, he added.