Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Friday rejected India’s attempt to link US President Donald Trump’s recent comments on nuclear tests with allegations about Islamabad’s nuclear record, accusing New Delhi of “distorting facts” and engaging in a “malicious disinformation campaign”.
In a detailed statement issued by the foreign ministry, Pakistan responded to a media question seeking its interpretation of India’s response to President Trump’s remarks and whether Islamabad planned to raise the matter with Washington.
“India is clearly misrepresenting the facts and misrepresenting the remarks of US President Donald Trump. The US side has already clarified its position to the media regarding the remarks of the President,” the spokesperson said.
Clarifying Pakistan’s position, the spokesman emphasized that Islamabad’s last nuclear test was conducted in May 1998 and that its stance on nuclear testing remains well-established and consistent.
“Pakistan has supported UN General Assembly resolutions calling for a comprehensive ban on nuclear testing,” the statement noted.
“In contrast, India’s failure to vote in favor of these resolutions reflects its ambiguous and questionable intentions on future nuclear tests,” it added.
The State Department emphasized that Pakistan’s nuclear program operates under a robust command and control structure with comprehensive export controls and an impeccable adherence to the global non-proliferation regime.
“Allegations of ‘secret or illegal nuclear activities’ are baseless, malicious and part of India’s disinformation campaign aimed at diverting attention from its own irresponsible conduct,” the statement read.
The spokesperson also expressed deep concern over India’s nuclear security record, pointing to several incidents of theft and illicit trade in sensitive nuclear material over the past decades.
“As recently as last year, radioactive equipment from the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) along with the highly radioactive substance Californium – worth over USD 100 million – was found for sale in India,” the spokesperson said.
Such recurring incidents, Pakistan warned, suggest the existence of a “thriving nuclear black market” for sensitive dual-use materials in India.
“The international community must take note of these alarming gaps, which pose a serious threat to both regional and global security,” the statement concluded.
