Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi questioned Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to clarify whether the IMF requested Pakistan give up its missile system in response to his remarks on nuclear weapons in the Senate on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference, Qureshi asserted that the finance minister’s remarks on the Senate floor were significant because he is the ruling party’s in-law.
The former foreign minister claimed that “this comment has brought forth a fresh crisis in the country,” adding that the Foreign Office spokesman had to clarify during her weekly press conference.
Qureshi questioned why the spokesperson indicates that negotiations concerning nuclear power are not on the agenda of talks with any country or financial institution.
“Ishaq Dar, tell us if the IMF requested you for a missile system,” Qureshi questioned, why did you put such a big statement on the floor of the house? Qureshi asserted that no one has the right to inquire about our nuclear program.
The PTI leader stated, “Our nuclear [weapons] are for our defense,” pointing out that Senator Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has also requested the prime minister to issue a declaration on nuclear weapons.
Qureshi stated that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, his successor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should have provided clarification.
In his address to the Senate earlier this week, finance czar Dar stated that Pakistan would not compromise on its nuclear program to restart the halted IMF loan arrangement.
