Pak navy inaugurates new Strategic Force headquarters

The Pakistan Navy has completed the establishment of a new Naval Strategic Force Command, described by the military as the custodian of the country's nuclear second strike capability.
Naval Strategic Force Command headquarters was inaugurated by naval chief Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila on Saturday.
The event was attended by Strategic Plans Division chief Lt Gen (retired) Khalid Kidwai and senior naval and military officers.
Vice Admiral Tanveer Faiz, commander of the Naval Strategic Force Command, said the Naval Strategic Force Command, which is "the custodian of the nation's second strike capability", will strengthen Pakistan's policy of credible minimum deterrence and ensure regional stability.
The headquarters of the Naval Strategic Force Command will perform a "pivotal role in the development and employment of the naval strategic force", Faiz was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the military.
Admiral Sandila said the inauguration of the headquarters marked the "formal establishment of the Naval Strategic Force Command".
The statement did not give details of the weapon systems and delivery platforms that comprise Pakistan's second strike capability.
Unlike India, Pakistan does not have a "no first use" policy for its nuclear arsenal.
India adopted the "no first use" policy shortly after its nuclear tests in 1998.
-
Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin pleads guilty in 1st Ukraine war crimes trial
A 21-year-old Russian soldier, Vadim Shishimarin, has pleaded guilty to killing an unarmed civilian as Ukraine has started its first war crimes trial since the beginning of Moscow's invasion. Ukrainian prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova previously said her office was readying war crimes cases against 41 Russian soldiers for offences that included bombing civilian infrastructure, killing civilians, rape and looting, news agency AP.
-
EU chief proposes up to 9 billion euros in more aid to Ukraine
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed extra aid to Ukraine of up to nine billion euros ($9.5 billion) this year to help Kyiv cope with the ravages of war. In a broadcast statement, von der Leyen also said it was time to think about rebuilding Ukraine whenever the war ends, adding the EU has "a strategic interest in leading this reconstruction effort".
-
Kremlin says Ukraine 'lacks will' to continue peace talks
The Kremlin on Wednesday accused Kyiv authorities of not wanting to continue talks to end hostilities that started after Russian President Vladimir Putin sent troops into pro-Western Ukraine. "Talks are indeed not moving forward and we note the complete lack of will of Ukrainian negotiators to continue this process," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
-
North Korea claims over 1 million Covid recoveries in a week; WHO is worried
North Korea said Wednesday more than a million people have already recovered from suspected COVID-19 just a week after disclosing an outbreak it appears to be trying to manage in isolation as global experts express deep concern about the public health threat. The country's anti-virus headquarters announced 232,880 new cases of fever and another six deaths in state media Wednesday. It said at least 691,170 remain in quarantine.
-
Canada: Parliament’s special committee to examine ties with China
Canada's House of Commons has voted to reappoint a special committee to examine the country's relationship with China, despite opposition from the ruling Liberal Party. The motion in this regard was moved by the opposition Conservative Party and received support from the other major groups - the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Quebecois. It will comprise 12-members, six each from the ruling party and opposition ranks.