Atomic programme is still on: Pak nuke scientist

Pakistans nuclear scientist and National Scientific and Engineering Commission Chairman, Dr Samar Mubarakmand, has denied the impression that countrys atomic programme had been capped.

Lahore, Dec 20 : Pakistan's nuclear scientist and National Scientific and Engineering Commission Chairman, Dr Samar Mubarakmand, has denied the impression that country's atomic programme had been capped.

He said that removal of Dr A Q Khan from the nuclear programme did not mean that the government had planned to roll back its nuclear programme.

Dr Samar refuted the impression that Dr A Q Khan had headed the team that carried out nuclear tests on May 28, 1998.

He said that he himself was leading the team, which carried out the blasts and that Dr A Q Khan was not even a member of that team.

When asked what would happen if terrorists ever managed to capture and shift these sensitive weapons, Dr Samar said that no one could fire nuclear weapons as their launching required a very complex technical system, including its code.

The Daily Times quoted Dr Samar as saying that Pakistan is capable enough to safeguard its weapons.

ANI