Washington: Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) General Michael E. Kurilla on Monday expressed satisfaction over Pakistan nuclear security procedures.
“I’m confident in their (Pakistan) security procedures,” said General Michael Kurilla during a testimony before the US Senate Arms Services Committee.
“The US is satisfied with Pakistan nuclear program,” said the general.
He made these remarks in response to a question by a Senator whether Pakistan’s nuclear programme was secure amid the current political instability and economic crisis.
The US commander said that he had great relationship with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, saying that the budget was the main concern these days in Pakistan. He also stated that the financial situation, current political situation and counter-terrorism were also the main concerns there in Pakistan.
The resurgence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also came under discussion as the the terrorists’ organization carried out recent attacks in Pakistan after the end of a ceasefire with the banned organization.
It may be mentioned here Pakistan US nuclear programme came under discussion after Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s address to the Senate last year.
Dar had had said that Pakistan would not compromise on its nuclear programme for reviving of stalled IMF loan facility.
Dar had expressed these words while responding to the concerns of PPP leader and Senator Raza Rabbani in the Upper House.
On Sunday, PPP vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi came down hard upon Ishaq Dar over statements concerning nuclearl programme.
He asked him to explain as to why he made statement about the nuclear programme, and demanded the Prime Minister to give a policy statement on it.
“Dar should clarify whether the IMF asked for Pakistan to give up its missile system,” asked the former Foreign Minister.
He also regretted that the statement created a new crisis in the country and said that Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should have taken it seriously and should have made a clear statement.
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