Politicians across party lines call on Biden to apologise
ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: Former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan and senior politicians lashed out at US President Joe Biden after he called Pakistan one of the “most dangerous nations in the world” for having “nuclear weapons without any cohesion” and asked him to apologise for his baseless remarks.
In a tweet, the PML-N supremo said, “Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state that is perfectly capable of safeguarding its national interest whilst respecting international law and practices. Our nuclear program is in no way a threat to any country.”
“Like all independent states, Pakistan reserves the right to protect its autonomy, sovereign statehood and territorial integrity,” the three-time premier said in response to a statement made by President Biden on the nuclear arsenal of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, PTI chairman and former premier Imran Khan blamed the PML-N for the remarks made by Mr Biden and said the ruling party “compromised the national security” of Pakistan. He said the US president’s remarks reflected the failure of the Pakistan government’s claims of a “reset” in relations with the US.
Ex-PMs Nawaz and Imran say Islamabad has ‘most secure command and control system’
“On what info has @POTUS reached this unwarranted conclusion on our nuclear capability when, having been PM, I know we have one of the most secure nuclear command & control systems? 2. Unlike the US which has been involved in wars across the world, when has Pakistan shown aggression [especially] post-nuclearisation?
“This govt has broken all records for incompetence My greatest worry is that apart from leading us to economic ruin &, with NRO2 for themselves, giving a licence to white-collar criminals to plunder the country, this govt will also end up completely compromising our national security.”
“Pakistan’s record as a responsible nuclear power is unimpeachable and internationally attested to,” said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in a tweet.
“We have also historically provided military assistance to the very armed forces whose commander in chief erroneously questions our ‘cohesion’” he said.
PTI blames ‘imported govt’
Meanwhile, the PTI leaders also came down hard on the US president and asked him to apologise. PTI leader Asad Umar stated: “Nuclear country without cohesion? Is Biden referring to the US?”
Fawad Chaudhry also blamed the incumbent
government for the Mr Biden’s remarks. He added, “Biden’s statement is actually proof that the PTI government was dislodged through conspiracy because the US President would not have dared to make this statement while Imran Khan was in the office,” he said.
PTI Central Senior Vice President Dr Shireen Mazari questioned the alleged silence of the federal government and the Pakistan Army’s spokesperson and termed it shameful.
“You need to apologise to the Pakistani nation for your nasty remarks just because your regime change conspiracy is faltering,” Ms Mazari said.
She added: “Irresponsible superpower with nukes and your proclivity to interfere globally with regime change agendas alongside militarising the oceans. Custodial torture in Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, Bagram. Even your own people are not safe with gunmen going on killing sprees. Have some shame Biden”.
Meanwhile, PPP leader and cabinet minister Khursheed Shah said the statement was an alleged proof of “mistrust” concerning the Muslim community living across the globe.
He alleged that Imran Khan was brought into Pakistan on the agenda of foreign forces who wanted to deprive Pakistan of its nuclear capacity.
Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2022