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If India 'operationalises' weapons, we'll follow suit, renege on CTBT pledge: Pak

Pakistan has warned that it would 'operationalise' its nuclear weapons if India did so, and also hinted at reneging on its pledge to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

''If India operationalises its nuclear weapons, then Pakistan will be obliged to follow suit,'' Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmed told a media conference in Islamabad yesterday.

He said the operationalisation of nuclear weapons by the south Asian rivals could have a domino effect with disastrous consequences for other regions.

''It is time for the world, particularly the major powers, to take note of the scope and magnitude of the threat that is posed not only to regional peace and security but to the peace and security of the world at large by India's nuclear ambitions.''

The top official of Pakistan's foreign ministry said the nuclear capability was central to the country's security doctrine, and ruled out any compromise under external pressure.

Ahmed also hinted that Pakistan might now renege on the commitment Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief gave to the United Nations General Assembly last year of adhering to the CTBT by September.

''This question is now open in view of the developments taking place in the region and in the absence of any qualitative change in the coercive atmosphere created following our nuclear tests,'' the foreign secretary said.

While giving his commitment, Sharief had linked the adherence to the CTBT to lifting of the economic sanctions imposed after its nuclear tests.

Sharief is set to visit the United States in September.

''The announcement of the nuclear doctrine by India has further aggravated the situation. We have to evaluate these developments before taking any decision,'' he maintained.

UNI

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