Shah Mahmood Qureshi, senior vice-chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to make a policy statement on the country’s missile programme, which has sparked a discussion in the Senate of the nation.
Qureshi called for a private meeting to discuss the matter if the prime minister was unable to respond to the finance minister’s recent comments on the matter on the Senate floor, claiming that Dar’s remarks were inappropriate.
During a discussion about ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, Dar had dismissed a demand to end Pakistan’s long-range nuclear missile programme (IMF). Former foreign minister Qureshi expressed surprise that despite meeting all of the IMF’s requirements, a deal had not yet been reached.
He emphasised that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal was unique to South Asia and was only used for defence, and he added that there was national agreement about how crucial it was to protect these resources regardless of which government was in charge.
Centcom Commander Gen. Michael E. Kurilla gave a positive response when asked about Pakistan’s nuclear security procedures during a recent hearing at the US Senate Armed Services Committee.
According to Kurilla, concerns in Pakistan include the nation’s finances, budget, current political climate, and counterterrorism environment. He also admitted that after a recent ceasefire, the Pakistani Taliban, also known as the TTP, significantly increased its activity.
This debate draws attention to the ongoing debates regarding Pakistan’s nuclear programme, which has come under scrutiny from outside observers.
In a global context, the issue of nuclear security has grown in significance, and discussions about it are likely to continue on a national and international level.
