RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The 22nd Meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA) was held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday, said a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The Meeting was attended by the Federal Ministers of Defence, Finance and Interior, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, Director General Strategic Plans Division and other senior officials.
NCA undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing regional and international security environment. NCA took note of the growing conventional and strategic weapons’ development in the region. It expressed serious concerns over the adverse ramifications for peace and security on this account. NCA reiterated its determination to take all possible measures to make national security robust; enabling it to effectively respond to the threats to national security without indulging in arms race. Reiterating that nuclear deterrence is the factor of stability in South Asia, NCA expressed the resolve to maintain Full Spectrum Deterrence, in line with the policy of Credible Minimum Deterrence.
Acknowledging the services and professionalism displayed by the scientists and engineers, NCA congratulated them for the recent successful tests of various ballistic and cruise missile systems.
NCA took a comprehensive review of the security and safety mechanism of the nuclear programme and expressed deep satisfaction on the measures in-place to ensure highly effective security of strategic assets and installations.
NCA reposed full confidence in the reliable command and control system of the national strategic capability and appreciated the high standard of operational preparedness of the strategic forces. NCA re-emphasised Pakistan’s desire for establishing the Strategic Restraint Regime in South Asia and the inescapable need of a meaningful and sustained comprehensive dialogue process for resolution of all outstanding disputes, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity in the region.
NCA noted with satisfaction that Pakistan has the requisite credentials that entitle it to become part of all multi-lateral export control regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group, for which Pakistan seeks adoption of a non-discriminatory approach.
NCA was also briefed on the final Nuclear Security Summit scheduled to be held in Washington D.C. Details of inter-agency process to ratify the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (Amended) by Pakistan were also presented to NCA. The NCA gave approval in principle for its ratification. It was re-affirmed that, as a responsible nuclear State, Pakistan would continue to contribute meaningfully towards the global efforts to improve nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation measures.
