Pakistan has pressed its demand for an atomic deal similar to the one granted to India by the US. An official statement said yesterday that the security of its strategic assets and growing energy needs qualify it for civil nuclear cooperation at the international level. It said, having more than 35 years experience of operating nuclear power plants, highly trained manpower and a well established safety and security culture, Pakistan fully qualifies for equal participation in civil nuclear cooperation at the international level.<br/><br/>The statement was issued after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired a meeting of the National Command Authority, the body comprising civil and military officials that controls Pakistan's nuclear assets.<br/>It was the second meeting of the NCA chaired by Gilani since President Asif Ali Zardari handed over control of the body to the premier last year.<br/>Pakistan has been demanding a nuclear deal with the US similar to the one Washington has with India. But, the US has been taking the demand coolly due to proliferation concerns mainly arising out of A Q Khan's links with countries like North Korea and Iran.