Pakistan's atomic assets safe, says Dar

[Slav Defence]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's atomic assets are absolutely safe and highly trained security force of 2500 personnel, equipped with modern weapons, is entrusted to guard the assets, Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar said Saturday.

Speaking in National Assembly, he said the programme is being guarded by Special Response Force, Special Escort Force, Marine Force, Counter Intelligence Teams and Personnel Reliability Programmes.

In 1999, the programme was divided in different parts but now it has a unified National Command Authority headed by the prime minister and Special Projects Division (SPD) acts as liaison among various programmes, he informed.

Speaking about measures taken for security of Strategic Assets of the country, the finance minister said Pakistan's programme for security of strategic assets is prepared with a great sense of responsibility and its defence measures are up to the prescribed international standards.

He said the programme is protected by Strategic Forces Command and it works under a strict Regulatory Regime relating to nuclear safety including protection of material and facilities, Fissile Material Control and Accounting, steps against illegal trafficking and border controls.

The programme has an Export Control Regime of international standards set up by Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime and Australia Group, the finance minister added.