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Summary
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani urged that Pakistan should be given access to civil nuclear technology to meet the countrys exponentially growing energy needs as it reaffirmed its firm commitment to nuclear security at a major summit of world leaders. Spelling out its nuclear policy in a national statement at the Nuclear Security Summit, PM welcomed US President Obamas call for security of nuclear material and hoped the summit would be a catalyst for fostering a nuclear security culture around the world. PM held a bilateral meeting with President Barack Obama, said the United States has reaffirmed its confidence in the safety of Pakistans nuclear program. He told Pakistani newsmen at a dinner hosted by the Pakistani Embassy that the US leader once again voiced his confidence in the security of Pakistan nuclear program. I thanked President Obama for his expression of firm confidence in our nuclear program, the prime minister said at the dinner hosted by Pakistans ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Pakistans ambassador to China Masood Khan and Member of the National Assembly Farahnaz Isphahani were also present. The Pakistani leader stated it is in only in the media that sometimes concerns are expressed about the safety of Pakistani weapons.Let me assure you that Pakistans nuclear assets are in safe hands, he stated emphatically.He said prior to his travel, he chaired the meetings of National Command Authority, the Parliamentary Committee on Security and added that the entire Pakistani nation including the Opposition is behind the Pakistani nuclear program and wants its protection.The prime minister said he attaches highest priority to Pakistans security and that remains the central focus of his deliberations.In response to a question, Gilani said US president Obama reiterated his backing for international economic support for Pakistan as affirmed at the Friends of Pakistan meeting.Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, earlier, said President Obama assured that Washington has no sinister designs towards Pakistan nuclear program and is satisfied about the safety of Pakistani assets.
