Amidst renewed global concern over the nuclear proliferation ring operated by disgraced Pakistani scientist A Q Khan, President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said there would be no compromise on the country's nuclear and missile programmes.
During a meeting with the Director General of the Strategic Plans Division, Lt Gen (retired) Khalid Kidwai at the Presidential camp office in Rawalpindi, Musharraf said Pakistan is committed to nuclear non-proliferation.
There would be no compromise on the country's nuclear and missile programmes, which would be developed to maintain a minimum deterrence at 'every cost', Musharraf was quoted as saying by Dawn News channel.
Kidwai briefed Musharraf on the country's strategic programme against the backdrop of reports that the proliferation ring run by Khan, under house arrest for the past four years, could have provided the design for a compact nuclear weapon capable of being fitted to a ballistic missile to countries like Iran and North Korea.
Kidwai had given a similar briefing to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday.
Musharraf took strong exception to Western media reports about Pakistan's alleged involvement in proliferation, saying the reports were baseless. He said the country's nuclear assets and missiles are in safe hands and cannot fall into the hands of extremists.
No foreigner has access to nuclear and missile facilities, he said.
The Pakistan government said this week that Khan has no official position and could no longer indulge in proliferation.
Asserting Pakistan's commitment to non-proliferation, the office of the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister said the country 'will continue to support global efforts in this area with full commitment'.