Pakistan calls itself ‘responsible nuke weapon state’ after India slams Asim Munir’s remark

Pakistan on Monday described itself as a “responsible nuclear weapon state” after India tore into its army chief’s recent nuclear threat, calling the comments “immature” and “distorted out of context.”

In a statement responding to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson said New Delhi’s description of General Asim Munir’s remarks as “nuclear blackmail” was a “misleading and self-serving construct.” The spokesperson claimed Pakistan “remains firmly opposed to the use or threat of use of force” and accused India of “sabre rattling and war mongering whenever confronted.”

Defending its nuclear posture, Islamabad said it has an “elaborate command and control structure under full civilian control” and has “always exercised discipline and restraint” on matters of strategic importance. The statement also asserted that Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts are “internationally acknowledged” and dismissed India’s allegations linking its military to terrorism as “without a shred of evidence.”

India had earlier in the day sharply condemned Munir’s remarks — made during his US visit — in which he reportedly warned Islamabad would “take half the world down” if faced with an “existential threat” from New Delhi. The MEA said such “nuclear sabre-rattling” was Pakistan’s “stock-in-trade” and reinforced doubts over “the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups.”

New Delhi also criticised the fact that Munir’s comments were made from the soil of a friendly third country, calling them “highly irresponsible” and “a real danger to regional and global security.” Government sources said Pakistan’s military dominance over its politics raised the risk of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of non-state actors.

The Pakistani foreign ministry, however, rejected these charges, calling India’s references to other countries a “pointless” and “futile attempt” to exert pressure. It warned that “any act of Indian aggression” would be met with an “immediate and matching response,” placing the “onus of any ensuing escalation” on Indian leadership.

New Delhi has meanwhile affirmed that the country will continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard its national security.

– Ends