ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan successfully test fired a short-range nuclear-capable missile on Wednesday as part of its efforts to boost its defence capabilities, the military said.
Pakistan also tested long and medium range ballisticmissiles in the past month.
Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro watched the test firingof the Ghaznavi (Hatf III) ballistic missile, which can travelup to 300 km (185 miles), at an undisclosed location.
Soomro, whose caretaker premiership will come to an endafter an election set for February 18, said Pakistan stood forpeace but could not overlook its defence needs.
"Peace comes from strength whereas weakness invitesaggression," a military statement quoted him as saying.
Pakistan carried out nuclear tests in May 1998, days afterits old rival India conducted tests.
The two South Asian neighbours, which have fought threewars since their independence from British rule 60 years ago,regularly carry out missile tests despite a peace process theylaunched in early 2004.
(Reporting by Zeeshan Haider; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
