Nuclear weapons safe from Taliban, Qaeda: Pak

Pakistan said on Monday its nuclear weapons were secure and there was no risk they would be seized by the Taliban or al-Qaeda-linked militants, who have expanded their control beyond northwestern border regions.

Responding to comments by former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton and others in Washington, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Sadiq said: 8220;There are multiple layers of command and control, and the weapons are not in danger of falling into any hands8230; Pakistan8217;s nuclear programme is very well guarded.8221; He said he 8220;would be very dismissive8221; of anyone who claims otherwise.

Washington has long-standing fears about Pakistan8217;s nuclear arsenal. In 2004, Abdul Qadeer Khan, considered to be the father of Pakistan8217;s nuclear weapons programme, confessed he had transferred sensitive technology to Iran, Libya and North Korea. Since then, Khan has been restricted to his home in the capital, Islamabad.