US, international community 'satisfied' over Pak nuke safety: Mukhtar

Islamabad, May 28 (ANI): Stressing that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is in safe custody, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar has said that both the United States and the international community are satisfied with the security mechanism put up in place for protecting the strategic assets.

Interacting with media persons after the launching ceremony of the book, "Cutting Edge-PAF", Mukhtar said the world is not concerned over Pakistan's efforts to acquire civil nuclear technology, which is aimed at fulfilling the energy requirements of the country.

Responding to a question, he denied any pressure from the US on Pakistan over the latter's civil nuclear deal with China.

Mukhtar further said that the nuclear test, which Pakistan conducted on May 28 1998, enabled it to stand among the nuclear power nations of the world, and that it also brought Islamabad at par with New Delhi.

"Courtesy to those nuclear tests, Pakistan is able to talk eyeball-to-eyeball with India otherwise it could never have been possible," The Dawn quoted Mukhtar, as saying. (ANI)