Musharraf appoints new Strategic Force Command chief

Islamabad, Mar 8 (UNI) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has appointed Major General Syed Absar Hussain as the Commander of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) and promoted him to the rank of Lieutenant General.

General Hussain is currently heading Defence Exports Promotion Organization (DEPO) and has to his credit holding of two successful international defence exhibitions, which helped the country attract new buyers for its military equipment and boost its defence exports.

The President, who is also the Army Chief, promoted four other Major-Generals to the rank of Lt-Gen, including Khalid Shameem Wynne, Muhammad Ashraf Saleem, and Maj-Gen Muhammad Yousaf.

The General will replace Lt-Gen Khalid Munir.

''The government had last year set up separate commands in its three services equipped with nuclear weapons and missiles capable of retaliating for any first nuclear strike,'' the Dawn reported.

The Armed Strategic Force consists of special commands in the Army, the Air Force and the Navy that store nuclear weapons and nuclear-capable missiles in semi-knocked-down condition in peace time for assembly and deployment during periods of high tension.

UNI