Nuclear assets in safe hands: COAS

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, said on Friday that the country’s nuclear assets were in safe hands and security of these assets was a sacred responsibility.
The army chief said this during his visit to Pakistan’s Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security (PCENS) where he witnessed its state-of-the-art facilities and ongoing training activities, the ISPR said.
While lauding the high standards of professionalism and commitment of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) security forces, entrusted with safeguarding Pakistan’s strategic assets, the
COAS expressed full confidence in Pakistan’s nuclear security regime. While interacting with officers and troops, he stated that nuclear security was a sacred responsibility. “I am glad to see that it has been instilled as a culture and the progress made in the recent past was praiseworthy,” he said.
As a responsible nuclear weapons state, Pakistan has taken several measures, including the setting up of PCENS to strengthen its nuclear security regime at par with international best practices. Pakistan has also offered this centre of excellence as a regional and international hub for imparting nuclear security education and training to the international community. Since its establishment, PCENS has conducted several national and international training courses focusing on physical protection, personal reliability as well as safety and security of nuclear and radiological materials and facilities.Earlier, on arrival at the PCENS, General Raheel was received by Lieutenant General Mazhar Jamil, Director General Strategic Plans Division.