June 22, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 17, 1429

ISLAMABAD, June 21: Pakistan’s nuclear programme will continue unabated and it will not be compromised, according to President Pervez Musharaf.

Speaking at a meeting with Director-General of the Strategic Planning Division Lt-Gen (retd) Khalid Ahmad Kidwai, who called on him at the Army House in Rawalpindi on Saturday, the president said there would be no compromise over national nuclear capability and minimum deterrence would be maintained.

Gen Kidwai updated the president on Pakistan’s strategic programmes, spokesman for the president Maj-Gen (retd) Rashid Qureshi said.

Referring to reports about Pakistan’s nuclear programme, the president said the country’s indigenous nuclear programme was under strict safeguards.

He urged the western media to stop its malicious propaganda campaign against the country’s peaceful nuclear programme.

President Musharraf said that the national missile programme would be strengthened. Gen Kidwai briefed the President on strategic issues, adding that the briefing was similar to the one given to the prime minister.