Pakistan tests nuclear-capable missile

Pakistan has today successfully test-fired a short-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear device.

The Ghazanvi missile, which has a range of 180 miles, was launched from an undisclosed location.

Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro, top army officials and scientists witnessed the test.

With the launch, the army's Strategic Force Command "concluded its highly successful winter collective training", a military statement said.

Pakistan became a declared nuclear power in 1998 by conducting nuclear tests in response to those carried out by neighbouring India and test-firing its first missile the same year.

Since then, the two countries have routinely tested their missiles, and today's launch by Pakistan was the third in recent weeks.

Mr Soomro said today that Pakistan seeks peace in the region, but "peace comes from strength" and "weakness invites aggression".

Pakistan is "fully committed to retain a strong conventional and unconventional deterrence and will meet all the needs of a strong national defence", the military statement quoted him as saying.