Islamabad, Oct 1 (IANS): Pakistan was obliged to develop nuclear capability for self-defence and deterrence, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry stated.

Aizaz made the statement at an event organised on the sidelines of the 70th UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, Dawn online reported.

He added it was an "existential choice that Pakistan made to preserve strategic stability in South Asia".

The foreign secretary underscored that non-discriminatory, universal, comprehensive and general nuclear disarmament remained the highest priority on the international security agenda.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to the goal of elimination of nuclear weapons through a global, verifiable and non-discriminatory legal instrument.

While reiterating that Pakistan’s nuclear policy continued to be guided by the principles of restraint and responsibility, Aizaz said the pursuit of peace and stability in South Asia through the resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core issue of Kashmir, remained the cornerstone of Pakistan’s policy.