ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said that the country's nuclear programme is a vital national asset and necessary steps would be taken to further improve, upgrade and refine it.

The president made these remarks during a presentation given to him by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in Rawalpindi on Thursday. The presentation focused on various aspects pertaining to the PAEC.

Paying tributes to the scientists and engineers associated with the country's nuclear programme, the president said it was due to their tireless efforts that Pakistan had emerged as a nuclear power and the country's nuclear programme was going from strength to strength. He assured the PAEC of the government's continued support.