Himalayan News Service

Islamabad, February 26:

Pakistan has said that while it will oppose India acquiring the Patriot missile systems from the US, Islamabad will use “suitable ways to counter” the threat of the missiles, reports Online news agency.

Defence Secretary Lt general (retd) Hamid Nawaz in an interview to the Voice of America said: “Our first efforts would be that it (India) should not receive it. But if it gets it, we will use suitable ways to counter it.” “There are many strategic ways to cope with the Patriot missile system. However, at present it would be better that India should not get the weapons system.”

He said Pakistan and China have opposed any such deal because of fears “that our missile system would be of little use or its effectiveness would reduce”. “It will affect our deterrent system. That is why we do not want that this system be provided to India.” “There are fears that the defence balance of the entire region will be disturbed,” he said. Replying to a question on the sale of F-16s to Pakistan, Nawaz said, “We are very hopeful that the issue will be resolved”.

In answer to anther question, he said: “We are not involved in any arms race. Pakistan cannot afford a weapons race but India has been acquiring weapons in huge quantity. “New Delhi has been promised hi-tech equipment and its defence budget and weapons acquisition has increased manifold,” he further said.