Pak will be erased if it nukes us: George

In A stern warning, India has told Pakistan that it will be ‘‘erased from the world map’’, if it uses nuclear weapons ag...

In A stern warning, India has told Pakistan that it will be ‘‘erased from the world map’’, if it uses nuclear weapons against India.

Defence Minister George Fernandes said: ‘‘We have been saying all through, that the person who heads Pakistan today, who is the sole in-charge of that country, has been talking about using dangerous weapons including the nukes.’’

Remark absurd: Pak

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad today rejected as ‘‘absurd’’ Defence Minister George Fernandes’ remark that Pakistan would be ‘‘erased from the world map’’ in case of a nuclear attack. ‘‘These are absolutely absurd statements which should not be made’’, foreign ministry spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan said here. (PTI)

‘‘Well, I will reply by saying that if Pakistan has decided that it wants to get itself destroyed and erased from the world map, then it may take this step of madness, but if it wants to survive then it will not do so,’’ he said.

Participating in a BBC World’s phone-in programme in Hindi, Fernandes said ‘‘There has been talk of Pakistani nuclear weapons falling in the hands of dangerous elements. But we believe that whatever be the policy of the Pakistani leadership towards India, and however irresponsible they may be, it is difficult to accept that they would put such weapons in the hands of individuals or organisations, who might eventually use them.’’

Answering a question on infiltration of terrorists from across the border in J-K, Fernandes said after the Taliban and Al Qaeda were vanquished, ‘‘armed units of Taliban that fled from Kabul, entered Pakistan.’’

‘‘Now they are provided not only shelter by Pakistan, but all possible help including training, which is in full knowledge of the world, America included. But how far America will be ready to impress upon Pakistan to give up such dangerous policies, is difficult to say,’’ he said.

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Asked why the Army was deployed on the border, Fernandes said if such an action was not taken ‘‘Pakistan could have repeated Kargil-type activity’’. He added: ‘‘We were suspicious that Pakistan could take any major step, therefore, the need was to be prepared against any eventuality.’’

On whether the Defence was capable of meeting any eventuality, he answered in the affirmative. ‘‘Yes today we are fully equipped, but five or six years before the government-led by Atalji came to power, the strategic capability of the armed forces was hindered due to lack of funds. But we have removed these hurdles,’’ he said.