Pakistan’s new government has conducted first missile test firing a 2000 Km range, nuclear-capable, ballistic missile after assuming office last month by Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani.

The successful launch of nuclear-capable Hatf-VI or Shaheen-2 missile was conducted on Saturday successfully from an undisclosed location.

“The missile Hatf-VI (Shaheen-2) has a range of 2000 km and can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads,” the military said in a statement.

The launch was “part of the process of validation and technical improvements to consolidate and verify various land-based strategic missile systems”, the statement said.

The Shaheen-2 was first tested in 2004. Pakistan conducted a series of missile tests between December last year and February in the run-up to the General Election that was swept by Musharraf`s opponents in the Pakistan People’s Party and PML-N.

New Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani watched the missile test and congratulated engineers and scientists for achieving an “important milestone” in Pakistan`s quest for sustaining strategic balance in South Asia, it said.

In a message, President Pervez Musharraf too congratulated the strategic organizations on the successful testing of the missile.

The South Asian neighbors, who conducted tit-for-tat nuclear weapons tests in 1998, inform each other of missile tests in advance.

The military cited Gillani as saying the missile and nuclear program enjoyed complete national consensus and would continue to be consolidated and strengthened.

“He made it clear that Pakistan`s strategy of credible minimum deterrence is fully in place and is a guarantee of peace in the region,” the military said.

Gilani assured that the country’s defense needs would remain a high priority with the elected government.