Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan talking to the press in front of his house in Islamabad, Pakistan. (EPA)
ISLAMABAD
The architect of Pakistan's nuclear program Abdul Qadeer Khan has said Pakistan cannot be denuclearized at this stage.
Talking to Arab News at the residence of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Khan said: "On a regular basis we hear that some powers can deprive Pakistan of its nuclear assets. Let me tell you Pakistan has one of the best command and control systems for its nuclear-tipped missiles.
"Pakistan has kept its warheads at different safe and well-guarded places. Its missiles are deployed with best available Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and its nuclear facilities are located at very secure places."
Khan said after an Israeli attack on Iraq's nuclear plant, Pakistan learned a lesson. "The lesson was to decentralize its uranium enrichment facility and to relocate its uranium enrichment at more than one place."
Khan, interned by former President Gen. Pervez Musharraf with allegations of running an underworld nuclear network, appeared quite weak due to poor health but the nuclear boffin was in high spirits.
Referring to the security of Pakistan's nuclear program, Khan further said: "Over the years, we have produced so many nuclear scientists that no one can deprive us from nuclear capabilities."
During the conversation, Khan made no effort to hide his bitterness about Gen. Musharraf.