No threat to nukes: Dr Samar

LAHORE Nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand has said that deducing result from the Abbottabad operation that the atomic weapons of Pakistan are as unsafe as was the compound wherein Osama bin Laden was residing will be an absurd idea. In an exclusive talk with the Nawa-i-Waqt, Dr Samar said nuclear installations in Pakistan were completely safe for which a foolproof mechanism had been developed. The propaganda about the safety of Pakistans atomic installations was being carried in the wake of US forces operation in Abbottabad, he said. But the bin Ladens compound had no security and protection unlike our atomic weapons, he said, adding they were very much alert about the nuclear capability and its safety. He said the US forces operation inside the Pakistani territory was a big tragedy and the responsible should be brought to face the consequences. He also cautioned to remain vigilant towards the western borders instead of eastern borders only. The scientist said when the information was received that they could be attacked while they were preparing for launching explosions in Chaghi, the whole nation was ready to face the enemies and helicopters kept on hovering over the sky the whole night for providing protection to residents of the area. On a question regarding Thar Coal project, he said that Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) had given approval of 115 million dollars for generating 100MW electricity through coal but they had received only 2 million dollars that too in installments. He said the earth had been drilled for producing gas to generate 50MW electricity in March but due to Tsunami in Japan they could not get the machinery in time. Now this would be done in the months of June and July but they did not have the finances to purchase generators and turbines from America and Japan, he complained. If 107 million dollars were provided, they could generate 100MW electricity, he said. He said an economic revolution could be brought about by producing energy by the rich reservoirs of coal spreading over 9600 square kilometres area in Thar.

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