Pakistan army, Imran differ on 'no first use' on nuke attack

Islamabad: Amidst tensions with India, Pakistan's military clarified on Wednesday that it does not follow the "no first use" policy on nuclear weapons. Military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor at a media briefing was asked about the statement by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who said last month that India may see a major shift in its nuclear weapons doctrine by doing away with a 'no first use policy' in the future.

"We don't have any 'no first use' policy. Our weapons are for deterrence. As far as India is concerned, it is up to them to formulate any policy," he said. Ghafoor's comments came days after Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed that his country will never ever start a war with India, amid escalating tensions between the nuclear powers over the Kashmir issue. Ghafoor said that the first strike could follow with the second strike.