ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is goint to fortify its defence capability, foreign and defence minister Sahabzada Yaqoub Khan informed the senate,

The minister said it would not be prudent to divulge facts as to what specific steps had been taken by Pakistan in this direction.

It may be recalled that the United States had in October suspended military and economic aid to Pakistan totaling about 560 million dollars on the suspicion that Pakistan was making a nuclear bomb.

Islamabad has denied such reports saying its nuclear program was only for the purpose of producing energy.

Yaqoub Khan said the armed forces were determined to adopt counter measures for achieving a proper deterrence to nullify any attempt against the country’s integrity.

Our armed forces are fully capable to forcefully thwart any threat to our sovereignty,” he told the upper house.

Responding to an adjournment motion sought to be moved by Prof. Khurshid Ahmed, Yaqub Khan referred to what he called Indian Armament build up and said Pakistan viewed it with deep concern and anxiety.

He said Pakistan knew fully well the integrated missile development programme launched by India in 1983 and the potential threats it posed to the security of Pakistan, the region and the comity of nations.

 The minister said India had during the recent past advanced its anti-aim missile technology which had been flight tested.

 This technology poses a grave threat to our sovereignty Pakistan government is fully cognizant of the obtaining realities and is fully vigilant and alert to these development we are aware of our duties towards deterrence against any potential threat to our security.”

Without going into minute elaboration, I want to categorically tell the house and through it to the nation that our sovereignty is in capable hands, and that we are going to befittingly fortify our defence capability,” Khan said.

India’s advancement in missile technology would naturally affect Pakistan’s foreign policy, he said adding it was clear that India possessed nuclear capability which posed potential security risk to Pakistan.

Speaking on another adjournment motion, he denied that secret documents about national defence and security had been found missing or handed over to former aides of Benazir Bhutto.

We have checked our records according to which no classified documents have been found missing or taken away,” he said.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 4, 1991