US has confidence in security of Pak N-weapons

The US expressed confidence in the ability of Islamabad to secure its atomic arsenals effectively.

Washington: Amid international concerns over the safety of Pakistan`s nuclear weapons, the US on Thursday expressed confidence in the ability of Islamabad to secure its atomic arsenals effectively.

"We have confidence in the government of Pakistan`s or that the government of Pakistan is well-aware of the range of potential threats to its nuclear arsenal and is accordingly giving very high priority to securing its nuclear weapons and materials effectively," said Mark Toner, the spokesman of the State Department at his daily news briefings. He was responding to questions about a recent news report published here according to which in the aftermath of killing of Osama bin Laden, Pakistan moved nuclear weapons in unsecured vans in urban areas and cities like Karachi. Pakistan has denied such reports.

"We continue to have confidence in the government of Pakistan that they both understand the varied threats to their nuclear arsenal and that they`re taking appropriate steps to safeguard them, he underlined. Western experts and governments have expressed concern over the safety and security of Pakistan`s nuclear arsenals, particularly from militants bent upon taking hold of it.

PTI