N-programme on course: A Q Khan

Though the concerned departments are not giving final shape to new nuclear weapons,the materials are being prepared and could be assembled at any time if required,he said. Asked if the nuclear programme was running satisfactorily,Khan said it was running well.

Reports have suggested that Pakistans nuclear weapons programme is expanding at a rapid pace and the country is expected to have a fourth operational reactor by 2013 to ramp up plutonium production.

Asked about safety of Pakistans nuclear assets,Khan said the Taliban or any external force could not seize them because of a highly secured system. The weapons were not stored at one place and very few people knew of their location,he said.

Meanwhile,according to secret US diplomatic cable released by WikiLeaks and published by Dawn newspaper,France was unsure of Pakistans nuclear deterrence in 2009 and decided against supplying nuclear energy technology to it.

A cable dated September 3,2009 disclosed,French President Nicolas Sarkozys Diplomatic Adviser Jean-David Levitte had told US diplomats that the French government was not sure that the Pakistani nuclear deterrent is secure, especially with the frequent movement of nuclear weapons by the Pakistani military.