Sunday, 16 October, 2022 I 19 Rabi ul Awwal, 1444 I Rs 15.00 I Vol XIII No 107 I 12 Pages I Islamabad Edition
Pakistan hands Us envoy strong demarche over Biden’s ‘Uncalled-for’ remarks g
Pm Shehbaz SayS uS PreSident’S remarkS ‘factually incorrect, miSleading’ ISLAMABAD
P
staff report
akiStan on Saturday lodged a strong protest to the uS as the ministry of foreign affairs (mofa) handed a “strong” demarche to uS ambassador to Pakistan donald blome while Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said President biden’s remarks “factually incorrect and misleading”. acting foreign Secretary Jauhar Saleem called in the uS ambassador to deliver the demarche, the ministry said, adding that Pakistan’s disappointment and concern were conveyed to the uS envoy over the unwarranted remarks.
the remarks, a statement from the ministry mentioned, were not based on ground reality or facts. the secretary made it clear that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and its impeccable stewardship of the nuclear program and adherence to global standards and international best practices was well acknowledged, including by the international atomic energy agency (iaea). “it was essential to maintain the positive trajectory of Pakistan-uS relations and the close cooperation between the two sides to build regional and global peace,” the ministry added. the development comes after foreign minister bilawal bhutto-zardari and Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly protested against biden’s controver-
g
SayS PakiStan demonStrateS reSPonSible StewardShiP of itS nukeS
sial remarks. ‘FActuAlly INcORREct ANd mISlEAdINg’: the prime minister, in a statement earlier today, said: “Pakistan rejects the remarks reportedly made by the uS President, which are factually incorrect and misleading.” Pm Shehbaz said over the past decades, Pakistan has proven to be the most responsible nuclear state, wherein its nuclear programme is managed through a technically sound and foolproof command and control system. he added that Pakistan has also consistently demonstrated responsible stewardship of its nuclear-weapons capability, marked by a very strong commitment to global standards, including those of the iaea on non-proliferation, safety, and security.
the prime minister said that the real threat to international peace and security is posed by ultranationalism, violation of human rights in regions that are struggling against illegal occupation, violation of global norms by some states, and repeated nuclear security incidents. arms race among leading nuclear weapon states and the introduction of new security constructs that disturb the regional balance also pose a threat to peace, he said. Pm Shehbaz said that Pakistan and the uS have a long history of a friendly and mutually beneficial relationship and it was imperative that the ties remain unhindered.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 05