India threatening regional security – Alvi

ISLAMABAD: Highlighting the need for India and Pakistan to exercise restraint in acquiring arms and ensure regional stability, President Arif Alvi reiterated that Islamabad would not give up its pursuit of a meaningful engagement with New Delhi specifically for confidence-building measures, Pakistan’s state-run media reported on Monday.
In his comments — made while addressing an international conference in Islamabad on Global Non Proliferation Regime: Challenges and Response — President Alvi suggested that both Pakistan and India need to stop spending more money on acquiring arms and instead channel it toward public welfare.
“Pakistan’s proposal for a strategic restraint regime encompassing conflict resolution and maintaining conventional balance can provide a good basis for regional peace and security,” he said.
Dr. Alvi added that the orientation of Pakistan’s Nuclear Program is civilian and Islamabad has a complete program to harness the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The president said that Pakistan has presented a strong case by applying for the Nuclear Suppliers Group’s membership, due to its efforts and contribution toward non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Insisting that the strategic stability in South Asia is being threatened by the offensive posture and induction of lethal weapons by India, he said: “Discriminatory exemptions by certain countries for the supply of nuclear technology and supply of advanced military hardware in our neighbor has further complicated the regional security and undermined the credibility of non-proliferation regime.”
He hoped that good sense will prevail and that both Pakistan and India agree on the framework for strategic stability. The President also called for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute to ensure world peace.