ISLAMABAD, 9 September 2021, (TON): The National Command Authority (NCA) noted with concern the "destabilising massive arms build-up" in the region, affirming that Pakistan would take all measures to ensure strategic stability in its neighbourhood without entering into an arms race.

The authority discussed the issue at its 25th meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Strategic Plans Division headquarters.

The meeting was attended by all members of the NCA including federal ministers of foreign affairs, defence, finance and interior; chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee; chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force; and the Inter-Services Intelligence director general.

The prime minister is the chairman of the NCA, which is the apex decision-making body for nuclear matters.

A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said “the authority expressed full confidence in the command and control systems as well as security measures in place to ensure comprehensive security of strategic assets of Pakistan.”

It reaffirmed that as a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan would continue to contribute meaningfully towards global efforts to improve nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation measures.

According to the press release “the NCA, which was given a detailed briefing on the evolving conflict dynamics in the region "noted with concern the destabilising massive arms build-up in the conventional and strategic domains.”

"The NCA viewed these developments as detrimental to peace and security and asserted that Pakistan will take all measures to ensure the strategic stability in the region without entering into an arms race."

It also reiterated maintaining full-spectrum deterrence in line with the policy of credible minimum deterrence and expressed satisfaction on the development of strategic capabilities.