Pakistani Military Ruler General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said the country's interest in nuclear technology was not solely confined to defence but also to bring socio-economic progress to the country.

"Our commitment to use nuclear power to generate electricity, evolve new varieties of crops, its application to industry and hydrology, microbiology and medicine to alleviate sufferings of humanity reflect our dream to see a prosperous Pakistan," he said addressing the scientists and engineers of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) at Nilore.

Musharraf urged the scientists to consolidate the nuclear programme with new vigour.
"Carry forward the momentous work of your illustrious predecessors," the State-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) quoted Musharraf as saying.

He announced an award of one-month salary as honourarium to all working in PAEC.
Earlier, on arrival at Nilore, Musharraf held a meeting with Pervez Butt, chairman-designate, PAEC and Javed Ashraf Mirza, chairman-designate, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL).

The visit to the facility was his first since a reshuffle of top scientists announced this month following the retirement of the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, Abdul Qadeer Khan, and PAEC chairman Ishfaq Ahmed. Bureau Report