ISLAMABAD, May 28: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership on the occasion of Yaum-e-Takbir said a balance between nuclear capabilities of India and Pakistan was a must for sustainable peace in the region.

Speaking at a public meeting held at Bhara Kahu here on Sunday to celebrate the 8th anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear tests, PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq said strong nuclear programme guaranteed a stronger Pakistan. PML-N Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal, MNA Maimoona Hashmi, Joint Secretary Syedaal Khan Nasir and other party office-bearers were also present on the occasion.

Mr Haq said Pakistan would have been attacked by India if it had not acquired nuclear capability, adding that the basic reason behind 1971 war was that Pakistan was far behind India regarding nuclear capability.

The PML-N leader regretted that Dr A.Q. Khan was being blamed for nuclear proliferation without any solid proof. He asserted that Pakistan became a nuclear power under a democratic setup, and said that the then military circle was not in favour of nuclear tests. The PML-N chairman said the Charter of Democracy (CoD) had left no options for the military to interfere in the political affairs, adding that now the military was seeing dark days in future.