Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan’s nuclear program will be ‘available to Saudi Arabia if needed under the recent defense agreement between Riyadh and Islamabad.
On Wednesday, the two countries signed a defense agreement, announcing that the attack on a single country would be considered an attack on both.
The Defense Minister’s interview at a private TV channel Geo News program on Thursday night highlights the importance of this defense agreement.
According to the news agency AP, the two countries have been in military relations for decades.
Khawaja Asif responded to the question: “Will Pakistan be provided with defense of nuclear weapons, will it be provided to Saudi Arabia?”
He replied, ‘Let me make one thing about Pakistan’s nuclear capability: this ability was established when we conducted nuclear tests. Since then, our forces have been trained for the battlefield. ‘
He added, “What we have and the capabilities we have, will be provided (to Saudi Arabia) according to this agreement.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency, which has nuclear surveillance agreements with the two countries, did not immediately respond to the request of the Pakistani Defense Minister to comment on the remarks.
In an interview, Khawaja Asif criticized the IAEA for not fully disclosing its suspected nuclear weapons program.
Israel did not comment on the defense agreement between the two countries.
Khawaja Asif added, “We did not name a country whose attack would automatically retaliate.” Neither Saudi Arabia nor the name of any country.
“This is an umbrella, which is presented to each other from both sides: if there is aggression against a party – by any side – it will be jointly defended and aggression will be answered.”
Asked if other countries could join the deal, the Defense Minister said, “I can say that the door is not closed to others.”
‘Defense Agreement will create stability in the region’
Meanwhile, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Khan in Islamabad today responded to questions about the recent agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia at a weekly press briefing, “The recent defense agreement between the two countries will strengthen the region.”
In the briefing, journalists asked, “Is this agreement only to target Israel or is it a wider agenda?” Is Pakistan offering its nuclear assets to the third country?
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According to reporter Mona Khan, the Foreign Office said, “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a historic brotherly relationship, which is now being taken to new heights.” The purpose is just stability. Defense cooperation will also sustain economic development. ‘
He added that the defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia shows a commitment to tackle the threats of joint security and terrorism.
“Pakistan is committed to peace, security and stability in the region with Saudi Arabia.”
Pakistan Afghanistan Relations
Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said, “Afghan authorities have been informed about the recent terrorist and casualties of security forces in Bannu and Pakistan’s message and remarks have been conveyed to them.”
“Zalmay Khalilzad’s anti -Pakistan statements are not new, so it is not necessary to respond to them.”
He said that the message of the Prime Minister of Pakistan is very clear and public.
India’s reaction to anti -Pakistan statements
On India’s anti -Pakistan statements, the Foreign Office said, “India’s patronage of terrorism and sabotage in Pakistan is clear to all.
“India should refrain from spreading unrest from the outer soil and improve its human rights condition.”
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