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Pakistani nukes are 'very hard targets': Musharraf
Former Army chief in interview to CNN says repeat of Abbottabad style raid on nukes is not possible.
Musharraf rules out US attack on Pakistan's nuclear weapons or theft by religious extremists. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
WASHINGTON: Former Pakistan President and Army Chief Pervez Musharraf has ruled out the possibility that Pakistan’s nuclear warheads were susceptible to attacks or theft from either the Americans or religious extremists.
“I don’t think it is possible, from my military perspective, for anyone, including the United States to attack Pakistan’s nuclear weapons that easily,” he said.
Musharraf, speaking on a recorded CNN talk show GPS, said that “they [nuclear weapons] are very well dispersed and they are in very strong positions. And, also guarded.” The show is due to be aired on Sunday.
When the host asked Musharraf about the process by which the warheads were moved, Musharraf said that while he was never given a “running commentary” about the movement, there were locations where the warheads were held and there were forces (the Strategic Plans Division) to look after them.
Asked whether Musharraf, during his time in power as head of the armed forces and Pakistan, was he satisfied with the level of security and the possibility of attack, or theft? The General answered that in his professional opinion, he did not believe the United States or anyone could attack them, “as simple as Osama bin Laden action”. He described the warheads as “very hard targets” in “places which are not accessible”.
The only scenario in which Musharraf saw the warheads falling into the hands of extremists was if religious extremists were to become the head of government, with the likelihood of that being remote.
“I don’t think so. I don’t – at the moment, religious parties don’t even have four – they just have about three or four per cent of the total seats. And I don’t see that happening in the near future,” he said.
Reader Comments (69)
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Yes the world must understand, its not a piece of cake to attack and steal those warheads. They are in a secure location with atleast 4000 personnel only for the ‘safety’ of these nukes and related material. US navy seals did a 40 min fake operation just to tell the world they actually got in here. Its not going to be that simple, again.
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Come back Musharaf :(
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Too clever by half Musharraf continues to live in cloud cuckoo land believing his own propaganda. Maybe one day he will understand that he is no longer dictator of the Land of the Pure.
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Only leader Speaking for Pakistan and Defending and fighting pakistan Case internationally
one must Appreciate it
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I hope they have been provided better protection than OBL. When the entire training academy could not save him, wonder how some 4000 – 6000 men, 90% of whom are radicalised to the core, will be able to prevent a takeover. My prediction is that these nukes will be with the taliban (TTP) within the next 575 days.
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Mr Musharraf is right. Don’t push and fright Pakistan in such a way that it hand over the nuclear weapons to other Islamic countries like Saudi a Arabia,Turkey,Egypt,Sudan,Iran, Iraq or Syria.In that case that will be most deadly revenge by Pakisatn from the West.What Qadeer Khan and his associates tried to do by making more and more countries of Islamic world to be nuclear power. so,a group of powerful countries would emerge and provide the safety to Islamic world.The Qadeer Khan netwrok was working on the notion that how USA helped other powers like France,Britian,Italy USSR and Israel to become nuclear power and unitedly they are dominating the world.So,Islamic countries if follow the same pattern then it will match and will secure the resources and the countries.For this purpose Iraq,Libya,Kuwait,Saudia,donated handsomely to Pakistan.The quest for nuclear weapon by Islamic nations under their able leaders led the killing of entire family of Bhutto,Saddam Hussain ,Gaddafi etc by the enemy of Islamic world.
So,the wisdom is to control the weapons through peaceful regime and by UNO.Other wise the western adventure in the name of Israeli security and American interest will jeopardize the world peace.Let work for world peace not for danger.
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navy SEALS gettng bin laden, who they had tracked for several months, is not the same as getting nuclear weapons. they are not being held in some supermarket that the americans will put them into their cart and run away. pakistan has adapted its plan according to its threat assessment, and the army knows that these nukes are causing heartaches in many places. president musharraf is saying the sensible thing to avoid any lack of understanding in american publics mind. no extremists can get into these areas.
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this guy can’t dare set foot in his own country and why are Pakistanis even listening to him? A rule, Pakistanis should stop following “leaders” who live abroad – does this happen in any other self-respecting country?
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@Sohaib:
No doubt our nuclear arsenal must be safe , but what I fear is a drama by the western/US powers similar to 9/11 twin towers in which they detonate a nuclear bomb on border areas touching Pakistan and making that an excuse to enter and invade Pakistan.
We have no power over international conspiracy/sabotage , so help us ALLAH …
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This is always a hot topic in Pakistan — but unless your planning on attacking the USA or delivering these nukes to terrorist why in the World would the USA try and eliminate your nukes? Your not planning on going to war with the USA are you? Your not planning on putting nukes in terrorist hands are you? If the answer to either of these questions is yes then you have bigger issues than protecting nukes.
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Too bad Musharraf is an American puppet, otherwise he would’ve made a somewhat decent president.
All hope lies with Imran Khan now, who, unlike Musharraf, won’t allow the drone strikes and military actions against our own civilians to continue.
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well,not a seals operation,but something like a short war,perhaps.
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Pakistan’s nuclear warheads are tightly secured and encrypted by high professional men. Anyone willing to gain access to them would have to play a game of death.
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In America, in their capital, in their largest news channel sit and defend Pakistan! Wow! this man has GUTS!, can’t find anyone else doing this who have lot to blabber on talk shows, abuse each other and invoke divisions… Musharraf this country needs you back!
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Long live Musharraf.. We await your return..
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Musharraf is a disgrace to the nation. He lost the Kargil War, hidden the truth from the nation, became a dictator and now ran away to UK instead of bravely facing the courts like a soldier.
Thousands of our Soldiers were martyred in Kargil taking attacks from Fighter planes, LGB`s & bofors guns. They faced death for the nation & yet fought with meagre supplies. The faced their destiny while the great President, Dictator & General Musharraf Ran away instead of facing the court. How can we take his statements on face value?
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Is there a reason this article isn’t stating Fareed Zakaria’s name? The show isn’t called GPS, it’s called Fareed Zakaria GPS and he is the host.
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@Arindom:
who are you to decide to whom pakis follow and to whom not.talk sense mr.arindom. biase makes a person sound insane.
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@Nothing but the Truth:
Who is pure whom does pure land belongs .Please define
P stands for ==??
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My President is always there to defend Pakistan……………..Love YOU
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Mutiny!!! One cannot convince me that it’s not possible. Not even Musharaf? We all know his credibility has always been in question. Moreover, as unpatriotic as it may sound, I’d prefer these nukes going to American rather than Taliban. I can make an accurate prediction as to what will happen if these nukes ever get into taliban’s hands.
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@hamza khan:
“they are not being held in some supermarket that the americans will put them into their cart and run away.”
Neither was bin-Laden shopping in a supermarket but they did cart him away, nevertheless!
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Why is this person on TV? And why are people asking him what he thinks? Who cares?
He needs to retire (for real)Recommend
@antanu g:
appreciate your real name please! seems you are also one who prefers leadership by remote-control by foreignersl!!!
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Blind Patriotism ? :p
NOT POSSIBLE ? :D
Stop fooling the masses you incompetent Generals!
All of you have been a source of embarrassment for pakistan. be it 48,65,71 or Kargil or Abbotabad!
You think all of us are idiots that we dont cross-check the historical facts ?
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Please do not bury them too deep. In case we need them and we have no resources to recover them.
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@mohammad allam:
As if there would be no “deadly revenge” on the other and more capable side. If Pakistan did what you said in the example if they get their feelings hurt a bit too much it, turns into a whole new scenario.
Nukes are of global concern. For once the conspiracy theorists would be happy as if that happened, it literally would be you against the world. There would not even be debate about how to address the concern. It would be a quick meeting followed by turning the general area into a huge crater.
You guys have to stop relying on the existence of your nukes as a get out of jail free card. At best you’re making yourselves gullible and complacent.
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Time will tell as to who is right!!! Don’t tempt faith with Uncle Sam, as they are well aware of the problem in regards to this issue as are russians and chines too ! Let’s leave indians out of this for the moment!!
By tje way who paid for creation of SPD ?
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Hardest things in the world are always the most brittle ones too.
That’s science. Check out if you don’t trust me.
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@A reader
What’s your point? (ie if any).
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@Realist.:
You probably required to check the history,
In 48, We liberated half of Kashmir
In 65, We destroyed your objective of capturing Lahore and drinking tea in it. PAF thrashed IAF
In Kargil, Gave you tough time
And lastly If your people would have guts, 1999,2002,2008 would have been fun years
PS: Don’t hide your nationality. We know who you are
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Mr Musharraf, please leave us alone now. You have enough by ruining our image and economy by hiding OBL and starting the Kargil war. Why don’t you live in peace with your “HARD EARNED” millions of dollars ;-)….in England and let us take care of our problems.
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@mohammad allam:
Pakistan has already “sold” some completed nukes to Saudi Arabia according to Amir Mir:
http://www.rediff.com/news/special/is-pakistan-helping-the-saudis-with-a-nuclear-deterrent/20111004.htm
http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/sair/Archives/3_51.htm
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Cheap effort by ex dictator to gather some free publicity.
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Let us be happy we have nuclear weapons. We do not need education, we have madrasas. We do not need food we can eat grass. We do not need electric power we have nuclear weapons. If we do not shape up, Pakistan would implode due to poverty and fanaticism. No nuclear weapons could save us from within. No country would even buy or station or nuclear warhead against the West, except North Korea. We should give up the dream of being black marketer of nuclear technology or a mercenary force. According to A. Q. Khan, Mush has given a virtual tour of our nuclear facilities to the Americans and they can observe the movement of those weapons just like they were at Kakul and watching OBL for months. When ragtag mullahs can successfully attack GHQ head office and Mehran Base we should not live in fool’s paradise.
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Why would an EX CNC talk about this to the press?? Just a loud mouth foreigner, whom the army selected as their chief, i suppose
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We need to stop being paranoid about the US trying to “steal” our Nukes, they are not oranges lying on carts by the roadside for anyone to steal, just discussing this makes us look like fools who are so insecure.
Pakistan should make it a law for politicians to just shut up on the matter once and for all.
But Mohajir Musharraf suffers from verbal dioaherrea and just cant manage to shut up even for a second. What is this guys problem that he wont stop embaressing his country, he talks too much and then writes an embaressing book, this guy is too stupid to realize what a blabbermouth he sounds.Recommend
@G. Din:
Bin Ladin was not in the protective custody of Pakistan, or else the Americans would not know where he was, just like no one knows where Pak nukes are.
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@ambag
You sounds like Indian,
But Insha Allah Indian desire of war between US and Pakistan will never come true.
despite all Indian Propaganda machinery work here in US.
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SO THE NUKES ARE HIGHLY SECURED…….
IT MEANS IT IS EASY TO LOCATE THEM…..
if a force of 4000 troops is gaurding it… it takes a big campus.. a large area with boundry or fencing….
locol people must have folks about place.. coz they are every now and then cheaked or interogated…
CAMP MUST HAVE SAMs AND ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNS WITH ANY OF THE 9 AIRBASES OF PAF NEAR TO IT FOR QUICK ACTION… ADDITION TO IT PAF DEFINETLY TAKE AIR SURVE AND EXERCISE NEAR TO IT OFTENLY……
this camp may be situated near the indian border in order to deliver nukes quickly without detected by indian survillance…
if these camps are in balochistan or nwfp it would be easy for india to counter or distroy the missile within pak boundry.
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@Arindom:
Don’t forget Nawaz who went away at the first opportunity after applying for pardon and permission to leave. BB too was away for almost 10 years and left during the nawaz regime.
Musharraf left the country 7 months after resignation and will be mack in March 12!
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@Infidel Humanist:
Sour grapes! He’s not only on the most important and recognized channels but is also member of the elite group of highest paid speakers in the world. Name any leader who has that capability!
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You were the Man and you are the Man…all these pseudo-democrats are impotent
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Being a former army chief and a four-star general himself, Musharraf had definitely the Pakistani Army and – perhaps – the ISI under control while as president in office, more than the current incumbents. The government under Zardari is weak! Would a military-led government be better for Pakistan?
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@Arindom:
Mr.Arindom i have the moral courage to comment under my real name. I am a devout hindu by religion but dont allow the bias and hate mongering creep into my reasons. Give me your mail i.d.and i will provide u with my complete address in Kolkata..if u want to ascertain my location. Only thing is that I dont act on borrowed reasoning.Fairness in everything is my trait..and i just can not ridicule pakistanis because it is a muslim country and have fought wars with india. Also I am a extensively travelled person and fully aware of ground realities on India.We are on equal ground when it comes to povert..social unjustice and hate mongering with pakistan. We have no rights to have that HOLIER THAN THOU attitude.
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All Indians oppossing our great hero makes sense, because only Musharraf can handle Indian propaganda very well. Musharraf always reads Indian plot against Pakistan very well and acts accordingly. Musharraf we love you. Please come back, the nation will support you.
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Proud to be Musharraf’s supporter – because he is best of the bests. When he talks people listen to him – he is so analytical, courageous and truthful.
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@Sao Lao:
Hahaha :D
Mannnn Are you for real ?
I’m an indian ? :D
if you take off those patriotic goggles , we lost hyderabad in 48.
WE attacked India in 65 in their territory & ended up saving our OWN. THAT my friend is not victory. A Humiliating Surrender in 1971.
In kargil which was a strategic blunder , WE refused to take the bodies of our own soldiers. What world do you live in?
as per 65 heres a documentary of our ‘own’ people do watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXB-iVcCvhQ
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Person who can sell people and later on admit the fact that he did, I rather not have this guy back as a president.
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Just ignore him .. same as the world ignored his book of facts “Line of fire”.. Dont u all know he gets paid to say al this …Recommend
@Bambbaayyaa:
yes just like salman rushdie and taslima nasreen were pid to write their absurd books.Recommend
@Realist.:
Unfortunately , as your user name, suggest you are a realist, but your fellow countrymen are living in illusions, self denials and blame games!!!!!
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Indian embassies near Pak-Afghan border are spreading terrorism in Pakistan…they are training suicide bombers, militants and sending them in the cities of Pakistan.
Most wanted terrorist of Pakistan “Bramdagh bugti” fund in NEW DEHLI with the indian security agencies meetings.
Taliban created by CIA , funded by CIA, CIA provide them Thousands of metric ton’s arms to destroy Russia. Now these talibs are fighting against illegal invasion of Nato forces before 2001-2002 all there was no thread from western border of Pakistan (Pak – Afghan border)
Now Pakistan has deploy more than 100,000 army to secure its border from Indian trained terrorists who killed more than 35000 civilians and 5000 Pak army security officers.
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@Sao Lao: You forgot to mention 1975…lols…
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Tariq shah and Realist. They are a great asset for our country because they know so much about everything. Unfortunately some of my fellow readers disagree with me and consider them great masters in the art of losing focus. However, just for the record, I don’t necessarily agree with them.
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Tariq shah and Realist. They are a great asset for our country because they know so much about everything. Unfortunately some of my fellow readers disagree with me and theyhep wider them masters in the art of losing focus. However, just for the record, I don’t necessarily have any fundamental difference of opinion with detractors of Mr Shah and Mr Realist. (if you like my verbosity, press the recommend button). Just my comments lightly. Be a sport. Eid Mubarak. Long Live Pakstan.
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@malik:
Please enlighten me as to which Indian Embassies or for that matter Consulates are situated near Afghan – Pak Border ????
For your info there can only be one Embassy of any nation in any host country, rest are Consulates to conduct day to day business!!!!
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Musharraf has said many things on record, for instance:
1. Bin laden is not in Pakistan
2. Bin Laden died of kidney failure.
3. “A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped.”
4. I will never desert Pakistan.
5. the list can go on endlessly
So if he says that Pakistani nukes are very ‘hard targets’, then I unfortunately have to assume the opposite. God help us if they are being carted around in unsecured vehicles.Recommend
@hedgefunder
Your choice of a nickname says it all! Ironically your own comments are tantamount to blame games!! Bhagwan help people whose funds you hedge.
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@tariq shah
You have used the term muhajir in a derogatory manner almost like a slur. I wouldn’t stoop to your level of name calling but please respect you surname Shah which implies your claim to be a descendent of the most reverred human being who himself engaged in hijrat. Or reconsider your name please. A little decency never hurts.
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@Me2 Pakistani:
They don’t need help as they are all doing ok !!!!!
Thank you !!
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Of course, you make them believe that until the Great market crash engineered by crooks
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@Me2 Pakistani:
LOL !!!!!! Well i have been on about euro ever since its conception, and sadly i was right !!!
But upcoming domino effect for EU Nations due to the Greek crises is going to send shudders thru the Global Financial Markets is going to be new area, which the world has not seen before !
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Musharraf didn’t really answer the concerns raised by the Atlantic article (also not covered in this article.) If Pakistan is transporting mated nuke in a civilian van, without strong escort, too many ways those nukes can fall into the wrong hands; too tempting of a soft target. Pakistan MUST ensure, for your own sake and the rest of the world, that not even 1 or 2 nukes falls into the hands of extremists.
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@Bambbaayyaa:
wow…i did not know that bombayya people…so far paying maney to fix matches were also paying mush to write books.Adds to my GK
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No need to worry here. Musharraf is living proof that the Pakistani’s are incapable of doing anything right. Everything they’ve tried since The Partition has back fired on them.
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@ithink:
yes thats exactly what it is, you are right…how did you find out? Wow!
We are amazed, who could have thought of this but a genius….amazing, wah wah!
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@Realist.:
dont rely on made up history and fake videos…. there is no surrender in Kargil, in fact Pakistan still holds most of the strategic tops, India could not take them back as for those youtube videos, there is a protocol on both sides where forces are allowed to collect dead bodies of comarades and since Muslims have to be buried quickly, there is a lot of informal rushed arrangements for collection, thats what those videos are beta.
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Great leader..
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