Apparently taking exception to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s concern over the security of Pakistan’s nuclear assets, President Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday that nobody had the right to ‘‘speculate’’ on the effectiveness of his country’s command and control structure which, he claimed, was far more efficient than its neighbour’s. In a surprise move coinciding with the conclusion of Singh’s visit to Washington, Musharraf presided over the meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA) and the Strategic Plans Division, the apex body that controls the country’s nuclear weapons. Without referring to Singh’s recent remarks, Musharraf said ‘‘no one had the right to speculate about the effectiveness and reliability of Pakistan’s command and control structures, which predated those in its neighbourhood and were far more efficient, scientific and transparent’’. He also said Pakistan would take all safeguards to maintain deterrence capability in the light of the Indo-US defence agreement. Musharraf also claimed that Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence was fully operational and would continue to strengthen with time. His assertions were seen as a response to reports that India would be inducting the US-made PAC-3 Patriot Defence Missile Systems, which analysts say could drastically reduce the threat of Pakistan’s missile systems. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, said in his presentation at the meeting that Pakistan would take ‘‘appropriate measures’’ to obtain the benefits of nuclear energy in the light of the recent Indo-US agreement on civilian nuclear energy cooperation. —PTI No outsiders in Osama hunt: Pak NEW YORK: President Pervez Musharraf has told ABC News he will not allow other countries into Pakistani territory in the hunt for Osama bin Laden. However, asked if Pakistan would turn bin Laden over to the US in case he was captured in Pakistan, Musharraf was noncommittal, saying he would ‘‘have to see what happens. We hope he’s found in Afghanistan by the Americans. I would much prefer that somebody else handled him.’ —PTI
