Pakistan on Wednesday said it was opposed to the introduction to South Asia of new weapon systems like India's proposed missile defence shield as they could spark an "unnecessary" arms race. Asked about India's recent missile tests in preparation for putting in place a missile defence system, foreign office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told a briefing, "Pakistan is not in favour of the introduction of new weapon systems by any party as this could lead to an unnecessary armaments race."
| Not to belabor the obvious, but between India and Pakistan, which country is better poised to take on a strategic defense arms race? I wonder if the Indians have studied carefully how Reagan challenged the Soviets in the early 1980s and have concluded that a similar strategy can work on their western border — and pay dividends in standing up to the Chinese. |
| The Indian ABM system would also handle the SRBMs the Chinese have in Tibet, forcing them to deploy their smaller number of long range missiles against India |
South Asia is a region where financial resources would be better utilised to tackle issues like poverty, he said.| Funny how poverty hasn't stopped Pakistan from building nuke warheads and ballistic missiles |
| Some things are important, you see. Can't allow the National Dignity™ to be offended ... |
Sadiq also said Pakistan would not "spare any effort to defend its territory and interests".
| Just like you're doing in Swat, eh? |
India has conducted several missile tests in the past few weeks to prepare for putting in place a national missile defence shield. Pakistan tested a nuclear-capable cruise missile during the same period.
Sadiq also said a judicial committee comprising four judges each from India and Pakistan would meet shortly to discuss steps to expedite the release of prisoners held in the jails of both countries. There are currently about 500 Indians, including 450 fishermen, in Pakistani prisons while 450 Pakistanis, including eight to nine fishermen, are being held in Indian jails, the spokesman said.
| So the Paks have jugged wayward fisherman but the Indians haven't — wonder what the Paks in Indian prisons listed as 'occupation' on their ID cards? Any wonder the Paks want a prisoner exchange? |
Pakistan, which considers the early release of prisoners a humanitarian issue, has released "four times as many prisoners as India", Sadiq said. When the judicial committee meets, it will exchange lists of prisoners in both countries and take steps to resolve the matter, he added. |