Pak overhauls its nuclear command control structure: Report

Islamabad, Dec. 24: In the face of serious allegations of proliferation of sensitive technology leading to investigations against its top scientists, Pakistan army has launched a "massive overhaul" of its nuclear control and command structure.

Pakistan Army has assigned two Lieutenant-Generals to separately command the strategic force as well as the military units that exclusively handle the nuclear weapons, while a separate strategic planning and development cell coordinated and controlled the experts and scientists’ community attached with the research and development of the country’s strategic arsenal, "The News" daily said on Wednesday.

Currently, Pakistan’s Strategic Force Command is led by Lt-Gen Ghulam Mustafa Khan, while Lt-Gen Khalid Kidwai headed the Strategic Planning and Division Cell.

Both organisations have devised exclusive intelligence, financial and administrative controls considered better than those enforced in Pakistan Army, the newspaper quoted officials as saying.

Both Generals report directly to the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA) that works under President and the Chief of Army Staff Gen Pervez Musharraf.

The NCA, formed in 2000, is responsible for policy formulation and exercises full employment and development control over all strategic nuclear forces and strategic organisations. (PTI)