Pakistan to maintain minimum credible deterrence: Gilani

Islamabad, Apr 18 (UNI) Pakistan will maintain a minimum credible deterrence as the nation's security was government's highest priority, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said.

During his first visit at the Strategic Plans Division, which oversees country's nuclear programme, he said, adding, ''Our nuclear assets are safe and secure, the force development as per needs of Pakistan's Minimum deterrence is progressing well.'' He expressed satisfaction over the effectiveness of Command and Control Structures of Pakistan's nuclear capability and said the structures, which have now matured, were well conceived and elaborate, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

However, as a responsible, declared and acknowledged nuclear power, the nation would continue to play a positive role in the international efforts aimed at non-proliferation, Mr Gilani added.

UNI XC SYU AS1426