By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has issued a strong and unambiguous statement reaffirming Pakistan’s stance on its nuclear assets, emphasizing that these capabilities are not for grandstanding but serve as a crucial strategic deterrent. Speaking in Islamabad, Kamal made it clear that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons were not developed to be used as symbols or for trivial displays, but as a powerful safeguard against external threats.
In a pointed remark, the minister asserted that while the global community may have failed to restrain the ongoing violence in Gaza, India should reconsider any ambitions to undermine or subjugate Pakistan. “We did not develop nuclear assets to set off fireworks on Shab-e-Barat,” he emphasized, drawing a stark line between Pakistan’s serious national security priorities and any attempts to trivialize its nuclear capability.
Kamal also addressed allegations of Indian involvement in destabilizing activities within Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. He referenced the long-standing efforts of the Indian intelligence agency RAW to sow discord, particularly in Karachi, which had suffered from destabilizing operations backed by India for over two decades. Kamal highlighted that it was Pakistan’s resilience and strategic efforts that ultimately brought an end to the RAW-backed operations in the city.
The minister’s statements are likely to further strain already tense relations between Pakistan and India, underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to its national security and its readiness to counter any external provocations. Kamal’s remarks also underscore Pakistan’s position on the global stage—its nuclear deterrent is not a tool of aggression, but a necessary shield against external threats.
