Pakistan has dismissed fears that its economy is not able to withstand international sanctions imposed in response to the tests.

The Finance Minister, Sartaj Aziz, said Pakistan was ready to face sanctions but hoped they would not last very long.

He said Pakistan expected economic aid equivalent to twenty percent of imports would be affected, involving a loss to Pakistan of one-and-a-half billion dollars.

He said there would be an austerity drive within government to cut wasteful spending, increase tax collection and rely more on national resources.