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Friday, September 06, 2013
Pakistan brushes aside world concerns on nuclear assetsISLAMABAD: The National Command Authority (NCA), which met under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday, reaffirmed that Pakistan’s nuclear assets are completely safe. Strategic Planning Division Director General Khalid Kidwai briefed the meeting about the security and safety measures of the country’s nuclear installations and arsenals. He said the world’s suspicions about Pakistan’s nuclear arsenals are baseless. The committee also held an in-depth discussion on the recent tension at the Line of Control and the fallout of any US attack on Syria. According to reports, the meeting, which took place after media disclosure that the United States had intensified its surveillance of Pakistan’s nuclear programmes based on documents from whistleblower Edward Snowden, was aimed at examining Pakistan’s nuclear assets. The NCA is the principal forum responsible for command and control of the country’s nuclear arsenal. It also looks after the security and safety of nuclear installations. The session was also called to find a solution to the tense situation at the Line of Control, and to explore the effects of a possible US-led strike on Syria. It was attended by Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Khalid Shamim Wynne, the three services chiefs, Foreign Affairs and National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Lt Gen (r) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai. Kidwai said, “Doubts regarding the safety of the nuclear facilities are groundless.” He added that an “effective command and control system is in place for the security of the nuclear installations”. Referring to the reported concerns, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif refuted the possibility of any such attacks or prospects. “Our nuclear facilities are in safe hands,” the prime minister reassured. inp
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk