ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Prime Minister Imran Khan said Monday that Pakistan “will not use nuclear weapons first”, amid tensions with India after New Delhi revoked the special status of its part of the disputed Kashmir region.
“We both are nuclear-armed countries. If these tensions increase, the world could be in danger,” Khan said, addressing members of the Sikh religious community in the eastern city of Lahore. “There will be no first from our side ever,” as Reuters reported.
The Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Mohammad Faisal subsequently said on Twitter the comments were being taken out of context and did not represent a change in Pakistan’s nuclear policy.
“Prime Minister’s comments on Pakistan’s approach towards conflict between two nuclear armed states are being taken out of context,” he said. “While conflict should not take place between two nuclear states, there’s no change in Pakistan’s nuclear policy.
Prime Minister’s comments on Pakistan’s approach towards conflict between two nuclear armed states are being taken out of context. While conflict should not take place between two nuclear states, there’s no change in Pakistan’s nuclear policy.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) September 2, 2019
“PM was simply reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to peace and the need for both nuclear states to demonstrate responsible behavior,” he added.
Tension remains high in Kashmir, where security forces have used tear gas against stone-throwing protesters and the valley remains under lockdown after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to withdraw special rights for the Muslim-majority state on Aug. 5, the report said.
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