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‘Nuclear missiles can be fired within minutes in case of war’

* Dr Samar urges government not to be flexible with India, says ‘our weakness would strengthen our enemies’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is capable of launching nuclear missiles on a short notice of 10 minutes in case India attacks Pakistan, nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand said on Thursday.

Expressing his views on a private TV channel, Samar said the country using nuclear weapons first in case of war would have an advantage. Samar, a member of the team of scientists that conducted Pakistan’s nuclear tests in 1998 and a former National Engineering and Scientific Commission chairman, said Pakistan's long-range Shaheen nuclear missiles were more accurate than comparable Indian missiles, adding no city in India was beyond the reach of Pakistan’s missiles. He said India had been superior to Pakistan by a ratio of 3.5 to 1 before Pakistan conducted missile tests that equalised the ratio. Pakistan is one of the four countries in the world having cruise missiles, Samar said, adding the nuclear missiles tested by India had a payload capacity between 8 to 10 tonnes, much less than the 25 to 30 tonnes payload capability of Pakistani missiles.

No flexibility: He urged political leaders not to be flexible in the face of India's allegations, adding, "We would have to live with respect in the region. Our weakness would strengthen our enemies." When asked about US drone attacks in the Tribal Areas, he said the air chief had already stated that Pakistan had the ability to shoot down US drones, adding it was for the government to decide whether or not to allow the air force to act. online

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