Musharraf rules out rollback of nuclear weapons

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today ruled out roll back or freeze of the country’s nuclear weapons and dismissed reports of any a...

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today ruled out roll back or freeze of the country’s nuclear weapons and dismissed reports of any assistance to Iran’s nuclear programme.

He dismissed any speculation that Pakistan planned to freeze or rollback its nuclear assets, while addressing a meeting of National Command Authority (NCA), the body that controls the country’s nuclear weapons. ‘‘Such speculation was irrelevant, outdated and totally false,’’ he said.

The NCA meeting, which was attended by the country’s top military brass, PM Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, reviewed the progress of Pakistan’s strategic programme, operational readiness of strategic forces and approved a number of recommendations put forward by its secretariat, the Strategic Plans Division. An official press release here also quoted Musharraf reiterating Pakistan’s resolve not to enter into arms race with anyone while ensuring consolidation of Pakistan’s minimum deterrence needs.

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The President also condemned the ‘‘inspired and malicious’’ campaign by sections of the international media by carrying reports of Pakistan’s alleged assistance to Iran. He said Pakistan has a strong non-proliferation record and reaffirmed commitments to universal non-proliferation goals.

In his address, Musharraf spoke of ensuring ‘‘qualitative upgrades’’ in the country’s nuclear programme to fortify security. The nuclear programme has matured over the years and would continue to receive top national priority, he said. The NCA reviewed the progress of Pakistan’s strategic programme and expressed complete satisfaction with the operational readiness of strategic forces and pace of development, the release said. (PTI)

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