Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf said Thursday that necessary steps would be takento further improve, upgrade and refine Pakistan's nuclear program.

Pakistan's nuclear program was a vital national asset, he said while attending a presentation by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission(PAEC), which focused on various aspects pertaining to the PAEC.

The president paid rich tributes to the scientists and engineers associated with the country's nuclear program, the official Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

Musharraf said that it was due to their tireless efforts that Pakistan had emerged as a nuclear power and the country's nuclear program was going from strength to strength.

He also assured the PAEC of the government's continued support.