The head of NATO said on Tuesday he was confident that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons were safe, but admitted it was a matter of concern, a day after the worst assault on a Pakistani military base in two years. Anders Fogh Rasmussen was in Afghanistan on a one-day visit and met President Hamid Karzai to discuss the transition of security from NATO-led troops to Afghan security forces, which is due to begin in July.
Rasmussen was asked if NATO was concerned about Pakistan’s nuclear weapons after it took Pakistani forces 17 hours to reclaim control of a naval air base from Taliban attackers and following the death of Osama bin Laden. “I feel confident that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is safe and well protected,” said Rasmussen. “But of course it is a matter of concern and we follow the situation closely.”
He said that NATO will protect its troops and Afghans from militants based across the border in Pakistan, reiterating pledges by the United States to target insurgents there who have escalated attacks since Osama bin Laden’s death. Commenting on Rasmussen’s concern over the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, Foreign Office spokeswoman Tehmina Janujua said there were no threats to the country’s nuclear assets.
“Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state with impeccable credentials and custodial controls of its strategic assets.” Janjua said.
