Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Pakistani PM takes charge of nuclear weapons
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Pakistani PM takes charge of nuclear weapons
Reuters - Monday, November 30
Send
IM Story
Print
By Augustine Anthony
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's president has transferred authority over the nation's nuclear weapons to the prime ministership, as the unpopular leader tries to deflect growing criticism he has too much power.
President Asif Ali Zardari, beset by corruption allegations, has been under pressure to give up sweeping powers that his predecessor Pervez Musharraf accumulated for the presidency.
The transfer of the chairmanship of the National Command Authority , which oversees Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, came as Zardari could face pressure after the lapse of an amnesty opened several of his top aides to prosecution on graft charges.
That amnesty, and growing criticism that Zardari has too much power, may herald more political instability in Pakistan, worrying the United States and its allies as the government also gets increasingly embroiled in a war against Islamist militants.
Key cabinet ministers and the army, navy and air force heads are also members of the NCA, which controls the country's nuclear programme, including deployment and the use of the weapons.
However, the military manages and controls the nuclear weapons on behalf of the NCA.
Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani told reporters the transfer of the chairmanship was a "a true litmus test" of relations between him and Zardari.
"He who himself was chairman of the NCA has given that authority to the prime minister. What more powers can there be than this, which a prime minister should have?" Gilani asked reporters late on Saturday.
Pakistan set up the NCA in 2000, two years after it conducted nuclear tests. Musharraf introduced the ordinance in 2007.
Zardari took over as president last year after the assassination of his wife, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, in late 2007.
Dogged by accusations of graft during Bhutto's two terms as prime minister in the 1990s, Zardari has never enjoyed the popularity of his charismatic wife and has been facing a barrage of attacks from hostile sections of the media.
"RIGHT DIRECTION"
The opposition to Zardari has been building as the army has been battling Islamist militants in the northwest who have responded with a wave of bomb attacks.
The powerful military, which has ruled the country for more than half its history, has had differences with Zardari over a U.S. aid package which critics said imposed conditions on Pakistan that undermined its sovereignty.
Analysts say while there is a degree of distrust between the military and Zardari, the military is led by a general who has vowed to stay out of politics and there is little chance of it directly intervening at the moment.
Gilani, a top member of Zardari's Pakistan People's Party, dismissed talk of any threat to the government.
"We are moving straight and in the right direction. God willing, there is no threat to this government," he said.
A Musharraf ordinance that lapsed on Saturday was an amnesty that covered about 8,000 people facing various charges, including Zardari and four cabinet ministers.
Zardari cannot be prosecuted because of presidential immunity, although the re-opening of corruption cases involving people close to him could further weaken him.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Bangladesh ferry accident toll hits 54: police AFP - 1 hour 34 minutes ago
Indian nuclear workers 'deliberately poisoned' AFP - 2 hours 14 minutes ago
S.Lanka's ex-military chief declares presidential run AFP - Monday, November 30
Powerful clan denies role in Philippine massacre AP - Monday, November 30
Nepal's Cabinet to meet at Everest in December AP - Monday, November 30
News Search
Top Stories
WTO meeting expected to see free trade pledge
Police, protesters clash ahead of WTO conference
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
US Fed chief 'concerned' by regulatory proposals
Wall Street braces for Dubai debt fallout, jobs data
More Top Stories »
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Investors dump stocks over Dubai scare
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
Wall Street braces for Dubai debt fallout, jobs data
Gatecrashers met Obama, Secret Service 'embarrassed'
Police, protesters clash ahead of WTO conference
More Most Viewed »
Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study
Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 29 November 2009 Carlos the Jackal was 'revolutionary': Chavez
CORRECTED
US-TECH Summary
Bomb attack blamed in deadly Russia train disaster
Iranian lawmaker: Iran could leave nuclear treaty
Exec says Nokia must speed up transformation: report
Brown aims to set Afghan goals for troops' exit
Bruised Sarkozy launches campaign for French regionals
| International
|
Saudi floods death toll rises to 98
Afghan talks to seek road to security handover
| International
|
Religious, secular Israelis hold opposing protests
| International
|
Exec says Nokia must speed up transformation: report
Text-a-Tip programs allow tipsters to help police
Domestic abuse cases proceed _ even without victim
Kennedy to speak on health care after church feud
Ski resorts fight global warming; Utah gov unsure
Taiwan indie drama wins Chinese-language 'Oscars'
76-year old accused of killing son on Thanksgiving
Three Americans die in Shanghai plane crash: officials
Cleveland bodies case hard on nearby sausage shop
At least 33 die in Bangladesh ferry accident: police
Relative sought in 4 Fla. Thanksgiving killings
Some gays seek renewed focus on civil unions
3 Americans die in cargo plane crash in China
Whitman tries courting women in Calif. gov race
America wages new war in Vietnam _ on AIDS
In Wyoming, basketball drives reservation's pride
Afghanistan, Iraq: different wars
Indonesian minister blames disasters on immorality
Pakistan's president hands over nuclear powers
Flooding traps 16 in northern China coal mine
Apple's iPhone arrives in tech-savvy South Korea
Taiwan honors local film at Chinese Oscars
Lebanon's other women 'out' in force
A list of winners at Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards
Taiwanese drama big winner at Chinese Oscars
Europe lacks means, will for Afghan war: experts
Spain wants EU-Cuba agreement in first half of 2010
Hondurans to elect new president after June coup
| International
|
Dubai as finance hub faces first test
British PM sets targets for Afghan president
Police, protesters clash ahead of WTO conference
I'm a federalist but not fundamentalist: incoming EU President
Saudis claim key mountain win over Yemeni rebels
| International
|
Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets
Blair was told Iraq war 'illegal': report
Sri Lanka's war hero runs for president
| International
|
Bomb attack blamed in deadly Russia train disaster
U.S. hopeful of breakthrough in Iraq vote deadlock
Former guerrilla favored to win Uruguay election
| International
|
Saudis claim key mountain win over Yemeni rebels
Religious, secular Israelis hold opposing protests
Iran will make own nuclear fuel if IAEA deal fails: cleric
Equatorial Guinea president eyes new term in poll
| International
|
U.S. hopeful of breakthrough in Iraq vote deadlock
| International
|
Saudi floods claim 103 lives, 1,400 rescued
| International
|
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
News exec: Dinner crashers shopping interview
Death toll in Bangladesh ferry capsize rises to 40
Police find Texas teacher's body in SUV at impound
US man wanted for ecoterror sentenced in China
Carbon credits spell new future for forests
Administration plans new efforts on foreclosures
Massacre throws light on Philippine politics
Park rangers recover man's body at Grand Canyon
Analysts: All Is Not Lost For Dollar If Obama Aligns Focus With European Officials
Malaysia seeks child from Belgium in custody spat
Sarkozy Urges Singh To Come To Copenhagen, Obama Confirms His Attendance
'Telepathic' car symbolises Cambodian car industry hopes
Three Americans Die In Cargo Plane Crash In China
China tries to fix crumbling health care system
Family: Slain public defender didn't speak of fear
9,000 Marines to Helmand after Obama speech: report
Commonwealth throws weight behind climate talks
Ohio inmate seeks hearing over execution method
CORRECTS Louisiana Interstate Crash story
First lawsuit starts in China milk scandal: state media
Public debt imperils world economy
Nissan to double electric car power: report
S.Korea exports to rebound sharply in 2010 -groups
India says 'no need to press panic button' over Dubai debt
Bhopal gas survivors mark 25 years of agony
Longtime CBS News producer Bernard Birnbaum dies
French classical pianist Genevieve Joy dies at 90
Australia gives Chinese panda pair star treatment
Swiss voters favour minaret ban: exit polls
Karzai under pressure to draw up troop exit plan
WTO meeting expected to see free trade pledge
Air strike kills 30 Taliban in Afghanistan
| International
|
Pakistan president claims success against Taliban
Iran earmarks $20 million to support militants
Pakistan must step up action against al Qaeda: Brown
| International
|
Murder, threats mark judge's life in violent N.Iraq
Iran earmarks $20 million to resist West rights abuse
| International
|
Afghan police say 27 Taliban killed in clash
Russia says bomb caused deadly train crash
| International
|
Iran warns of decreasing cooperation with IAEA
Pakistani PM takes charge of nuclear weapons
| International
|
Saudi floods claim 103 lives, 1,400 rescued
Parties complain of irregularities in Namibia vote
| International
|
Iran speaker warns West on nuclear cooperation
Afghan private sector desperate for change
Black Friday shoppers tweet, friend and clip
| Technology
|
Nokia-Siemens CEO says focus on market share: report
| Technology
|
Police: 4 die in CA crash as car runs red light
Powerful clan denies role in Philippine massacre
The nation's weather
Nepal's Cabinet to meet at Everest in December
Shootings leave 3 dead, 1 wounded in eastern Kan.
Turbulence ahead: Senate opens health care debate
Capsized ferry righted in Bangladesh; 51 dead
Afghan gov't: 26 militants killed along border
Pakistani PM takes charge of nuclear weapons
LA stylist learns modern meaning of 'pay phone'
Water cooler at nuke plant in India contaminated
Australia climate deal threat ahead of Copenhagen
Philippine journalists expect attacks to continue
Capsized ferry righted in Bangladesh; 45 dead
Inflation fuels Pakistan dissatisfaction with govt
China's Wen meets with eurozone leaders
S.Korea calls meeting to check fallout from Dubai
Japan firms' capital spending to drop 17.6 pct
Shoplifting Charge Gives Man A Stinky Situation
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights