Biden made the remarks at a Democratic congressional campaign committee reception. "And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion," he remarked at the event organised in California, a transcript of which has been posted at the website of The White House.
Biden's comments have unsurprisingly stirred a hornet's nest in Pakistan. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he had discussed the remarks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said US Ambassador Donald Blome had been summoned at the Foreign Office for a demarche.
Bilawal went on to say that Pakistan's nuclear assets met "all -- each and every international standard" in accordance with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) criteria to ensure their safety and security. He said any questions on regional nuclear safety and security ought to be directed to neighbouring India instead that "accidentally" fired a missile into Pakistani territory recently. That Bilawal said, was not only "irresponsible" and "unsafe" but also raised genuine and serious concerns about the safety of nuclear powers.
The foreign minister said he had been left "surprised" by Biden's comments. He blamed such misunderstandings on lack of engagement. Luckily, Bilawal said, the US and Pakistan had embarked on a journey of engagement.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, under whose term in office Pakistan officially became a nuclear power, said on Saturday the nation was a "responsible nuclear state" perfectly capable of securing its national interests. "Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state that is perfectly capable of safeguarding its national interest whilst respecting international law and practices. Our nuclear program is in no way a threat to any country. Like all independent states, Pakistan reserves the right to protect its autonomy, sovereign statehood and territorial integrity," Nawaz said on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, who had posited blame for the ouster of his government on an international conspiracy since long, termed Biden's remarks an "unwarranted conclusion" on Twitter. He also raised how Pakistan had desisted from conflict post-nuclearisation unlike the US that had gone to war. Imran also rapped the "record incompetence" of the "imported government" which he claimed would "completely compromise" national security.
Former Pakistani ambassador to the United States Maleeha Lodhi termed Biden's comments "totally gratuitous and unjustified. She further said "ignorant" Biden needed to be briefed by his officials in her tweet. "Totally gratuitous & unjustified comment about Pakistan's nukes. US Pres needs to be briefed by his officials. He seems ignorant about safety/security of PAK nukes. President Biden's remarks Democratic Congressional Campaign Ctte Reception"
Former rights minister Shireen Mazari urged the US to seriously introspect before targeting other countries. Terming the US a " nuclear unstable superpower" with no national cohesion that posed a threat to the world. "So @POTUS you said something about national cohesion? Seriously the US needs to do some serious introspection before targeting other countries. An unstable nuclear super power with no national cohesion is a grave threat to the rest of the world." She also demanded Biden apologise and termed the "silence" of government and military "shameful".
…Pakistan reserves the right to protect its autonomy, sovereign statehood and territorial integrity.
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— Nawaz Sharif (@NawazSharifMNS) October 15, 2022
across the world, when has Pakistan shown aggression esp post-nuclearisation? Equally imp,this
Biden statement shows total failure of Imported govt's foreign policy & its claims of "reset of relations with US"? Is this the "reset"?This govt has broken all records for incompetence
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 15, 2022
My greatest worry is that apart from leading us to economic ruin &, with NRO2 for themselves, giving a license to white collar criminals to plunder the country, this govt will also end up completely compromising our national security.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 15, 2022
Totally gratuitous & unjustified comment about Pakistan's nukes. US Pres needs to be briefed by his officials. He seems ignorant about safety/security of PAK nukes. President Biden's remarks Democratic Congressional Campaign Ctte Reception https://t.co/e183evgUVI via @whitehouse
— Maleeha Lodhi (@LodhiMaleeha) October 15, 2022
So @POTUS you said something about national cohesion? Seriously the US needs to do some serious introspection before targeting other countries. An unstable nuclear super power with no national cohesion is a grave threat to the rest of the world. pic.twitter.com/EPcqkZAo9q
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 15, 2022
While Biden's tirade against Pak is not unexpected - US has been doing this regularly - what is shameful is silence from r Imported govt & @OfficialDGISPR despite comment on our nukes also. Altho given US regime change conspiracy this shameful silence may also not be surprising!
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 15, 2022
U need to apologise to Pakistani nation @POTUS for ur nasty remarks just bec ur regime change conspiracy is faltering! A nuclear US is a threat 4 world bec u have no control over ur nukes. B52 bomber takes off with 6 live nukes 2007 & no one knows for hrs! https://t.co/tqIuIp6wEc
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 15, 2022