Pak can never be "coerced" to compromise on nuclear issue: Gen. Majid

Islamabad, June 19 (ANI): Stressing that the country's nuclear assets were the cornerstone of its deterrence, Pakistan Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman (CJCSC) General Tariq Majid has said that the country could not be pressurized to compromise on the nuclear issue.

Addressing convocation at the National Defence University (NDU) here, General Majid said Pakistan is determined to retain its deterrence at all cost.

"Coercion, direct or indirect, can't force us to compromise on this core interest," The Daily Times quoted General Majid, as saying.

He rejected the fears about the country's nukes falling into the hands of extremists, saying that some anti-Pakistan forces were trying to malign its picture on the international stage by raising such concerns.

"A vicious campaign has been unleashed to malign and discredit Pakistan by spreading disinformation about the security of its nuclear assets," General Majid said.

He claimed that Pakistan has put forth the best international security arrangements for its nuclear facilities, and that it would not hesitate to take action to ensure their safety.

"As the system conforms to international best practices and has the capacity to meet all challenges, there should be absolutely no doubt. Pakistan would not be deterred from taking any action whatsoever in ensuring that our strategic assets are jealously safeguarded," General Majid added.

General Majid also rejected international calls to hand over the details of its nuclear establishments to certain foreign agencies.

"No foreign individual, entity or state has been provided or shall ever be provided access to our sensitive information and insinuations to the contrary are plain mischief and need to be contemptuously dismissed,"he said. (ANI)