Date:14/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/14/stories/2007121457890100.htm

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Musharraf ordinance on nuclear arms

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf issued an ordinance late on Thursday reinforcing his control of the country’s nuclear weapons programme.

The ordinance says the National Command Authority, first set up in 2000, will be chaired by the President of Pakistan, while the Prime Minister will be the vice-chair.

Earlier, General (now retired) Musharraf was heading the NCA in his capacity as “head of the government” as provided in a 2000 ordinance.

The ordinance vests with the President all powers and functions of NCA for complete comand over research, development, production and use of nuclear and space technology.