Military capable of safeguarding strategic weapons, says top panel

Islamabad: Pakistan said on Friday its nuclear assets were under foolproof security and warned against any "misadventure".

The warning was issued by the National Command Authority (NCA) for the strategic assets, which met in Rawalpindi near here and took note of the hostile campaign in international media about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

The NCA vowed that Pakistan was fully capable of defending its interests, according to a statement from the military's inter-services public relations department. President Pervez Musharraf chaired the meeting of the NCA that cautioned those "contemplating any misadventure".

The meeting came after the president promulgated overnight an ordinance appointing himself chairman of NCA and laying down a comprehensive law for the Authority originally established in 2000.

The NCA reviewed development of strategic projects and expressed satisfaction over the pace of development. It approved a number of proposals for strengthening the deterrence capability of the country, the statement said.

The NCA exercises complete command and control over research, development, production and use of nuclear and space technologies.