(dpa) - Pakistan on Saturday successfully test-fired a long range surface-surface ballistic missile.
The two-stage fuel missile Hatf-VI (Shaheen-2) has a range of 2,000 kilometres and can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads.
"The missile test was conducted as part of process of validation and technical improvements to consolidate and verify various land based strategic missile systems," army said in a statment.
Pakistan's missile development programme is aimed mainly at what it calls maintaining strategic balance with its nuclear-armed rival India.
Both sides have fought three wars, the first two over the disputed Himalayan state of Kashmir.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar witnessed the missile test, which was carried out by army's strategic plans division.
"Pakistan's strategy of credible minimum deterrence is fully in place and is a guarantee of peace in the region," he said speaking after the event.