Sale of advanced weapons to India would undermine strategic balance: Pakistan

Pakistan on Thursday voiced its concern over reported sale of advanced weapons to India by other countries. It also said that it would undermine strategic balance in the region.

In his weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said, “Pakistan will continue to raise its voice at the international fora which should objectively assess its actions and policies towards South Asian region.”

There are reports that the United States has cleared the sale of predator Guardian drones to India. Pakistan was alive towards the issue of its national security which would be safeguarded at every cost, Zakaria said.

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The spokesperson also rejected accusations about Haqqani network’s presence in the country saying it was just “rhetoric” and effort to shift blame on Pakistan.

“The killing of a number of commanders of Haqqani network in Afghanistan clearly indicate that the group is based in Afghanistan and not operating from Pakistan,” he added.

He also rubbished organised presence of any terror outfit including Taliban, Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Jamaat-ul Ahrar in Pakistan.

Talking about US delegation’s visit led by Senator John McCain, he said that matters relating to Afghanistan were discussed. He repeated Pakistan’s support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. He alleged that New Delhi was against peace in the war-torn country.

The spokesperson also said that there are reports of Indian forces using ammunition containing chemical agents and precursors in Kashmir. “We call upon the international community, particularly, relevant International organizations to initiate investigations into these reports,” he added.

With PTI inputs.

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