Musharraf says N-sites can withstand any strike

KARACHI: Asserting that Pakistan will continue to increase its defence capabilities, President Pervez Musharraf has said the country's nuclear and missile installations are safe even from a nuclear strike.

"The security and safety of our nuclear and missile power is so much that if God forbid there is a nuclear attack on Pakistan, this would not be affected," Musharraf said on the occasion of the 130th birth anniversary of founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah at his mausoleum on Sunday night.

"Pakistan is a nuclear and missile power. We have tested the accuracy and capability of every missile," he added.

Talking of conventional power, he said Pakistan's defence was increasing in comparison to the external threat. "It will continue to rise," he noted.

"I am confident that the country does not face any external threat. Pakistan's armed forces and the nation were fully capable of facing any such external threat," he said.

"Our defence power is increasing in comparison to the external threat to the country. Inshaallah, it will continue to increase," the President said.

However, he noted that some internal threats and elements were out to harm the country. "We have to face these internal threats," he said.

He vowed that the nation will face with full strength terrorist elements, be it the al-Qaeda or militant Taliban, and defeat them. "No one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the government," he added.