No terrorist cantouch Pakistani nukes: foreign secretary

WASHINGTON: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed has said no terrorist can ever think of coming close to a Pakistan nuclear facility.
Talking to ‘The News’ as he arrived for a Pak-US strategic dialogue, the Foreign Secretary said Pakistan also has a right to have civil nuclear technology because our energy needs are more acute and Pakistan has always adhered to IR standards, all under IAEA safeguards. “We will take up this with the US in these talks,” he said.
The Pakistani official said Pakistan had taken measures to safeguard nuclear assets and material. “It is recognised by the international community too, other countries have not done so. We have fulfilled our responsibility and have zero tolerance in regard to expert control of the nuclear materials.”
He said people of Pakistan are guarantor of our defence. “We have established a multi-layered command and control system and it is also safer.Pakistan, he said, will maintain a credible minimum deterrence; will not join an arms race but with nuclear restraint and conflict resolution of the outstanding issues we will have a comprehensive strategy in South Asia.
Aizaz said Pakistan and India had not signed the NPT, as it was a discriminatory treaty. “Pakistan has the right to defend itself so Pakistan has not signed the NPT and will not sign any such agreement.”
The dialogue is to cover subjects of security, strategic stability and non-proliferation while talks will be held in bilateral meetings too with the State Department, Pentagon, Defence, Treasury, USAID and NSA.