Yaum-e-Takbeer 28 May 2008: 10 Years of Nuclear Existence

Haris · May 27, 2008, 3:02pm

This Yaum-e-Takbeer tomorrow on 28 May 2008 marks 10 Years of Pakistan’s Nuclear tests carried out at Chaghai in Balochistan on **
28 May 1998** announcing Pakistan’s status as a Nuclear State.
Pakistan became the 7th nation in the world to announce its nuclear weapons and is still the first and only Muslim country with such capabilities.
The tests were carried out after a political decision to go ahead following India’s tests in May 1998.
The night before the tests there was high alert as there had been rumors circulating of an Indo-Israel air attack on Chaghi test site being planned. It had been a rumour that some F-16s had arrived in India from Israel.
Pakistan today remains amongst 9 nations which are said to be nuclear.

Members of NPT are;
**US
UK
Russia
China
France
**
States who’re still not NPT members;
India
Pakistan
North Korea

States known to be Nuclear but officially undeclared;
Israel

Sates believed to be nuclear based on some proof yet not confirmed;
Iran
Syria

Right after the tests Pakistan faced immense pressure from the global community to sign the CTBT and join the NPT; Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and Non-Proliferation Treaty respectively. Stern and heavy sanctions were imposed on Pakistan for having carried out the tests. Which was all a tough consequence for the then govt lead by Nawaz Sharif to face. Yet it was symbolic of global duplicity when it come to such matters, no other nation was as pressurized as Pakistan was, to the point of being isolated. Yet the nation was swelling with pride and much thankful to then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his bold initiative and brave decision.

**
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan** became the ultimate hero for it was mainly his research and expertise along with perseverence of many years that brought this vision come to reality. He was labeled the father of the Muslim Bomb and was highly praised, awarded and rewarded in Pakistan and the Muslim world.

** 10 Years down the road, how do you Pakistanis and non Pakistanis view Pakistan’s becoming nuclear?**

**Was it a good decision for Pakistan in the long run?

Or were the economic costs too high?

Should Pakistan be trusted and have a right to be nuclear like various other states?

Or is the constant anxiety about Pakistan’s weapons justified?

Did the unfortunate episode with DR A Q Khan’s alleged proliferation smudge his respect for the nation or has he been forgiven regardless and is as popular as ever?**

** Share your views and commemorate this very special occasion in Pakistan’s history.**

Interesting Reading;

http://draqkhan.com.pk/about.htm

Spock · May 27, 2008, 3:13pm

Re: Yaum-e-Takbeer 28 May 2008: 10 Years of Nuclear Existence

wow, times flies, 10 years already!

Dr.LuLworth · May 27, 2008, 3:32pm

I wish we could use nukular technology for electricity in Pakistan. I don't know the first thing about the technology, but I wonder how hard would it be to convert it from defensive purposes to energy purposes. People reference countries like Canada, South Korea and Australia with the ability to create nukes if they wanted to, even though all their nuke technology is energy based. So is it even possible.

Addie · May 28, 2008, 4:37am

Re: Yaum-e-Takbeer 28 May 2008: 10 Years of Nuclear Existence

Here wishing all Pakistanis A very happy Takbeer Day.

Haris · May 28, 2008, 2:26pm

Re: Yaum-e-Takbeer 28 May 2008: 10 Years of Nuclear Existence

Thank you Addie! :k:

Spock · May 28, 2008, 3:32pm

Re: Yaum-e-Takbeer 28 May 2008: 10 Years of Nuclear Existence

[quote]

** Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan** became the ultimate hero for it was mainly his research and expertise along with perseverence of many years that brought this vision come to reality. He was labeled the father of the Muslim Bomb and was highly praised, awarded and rewarded in Pakistan and the Muslim world.
[/quote]

Haris, your article fails to mention Dr. Samar Mubarak here, because of whom these tests were actually possible. He personally oversaw this project and made sure it was a success, AQ Khan's role was very limited, and he was initially not even told about this. This is why in the speech, his name was mentioned in the very beginning.

burqaposhx · May 29, 2008, 12:48pm

It is very hard to make nuclear power plants. But it is relatively easy for a country like Pakistan to make the bomb.

Making nuclear power plants is a specialized field and there are few countries, mostly in the West who can make reliable 500+ MW plants.

I wish we avoid attaching a "bomb" with the sacred word of "takbeer". There are so many examples of Islamic words and terms being hijacked for militant and anarchist purposes. Why to add yet another one to that list?

I realize that it is a nationalist thing to sing the song for the bomb.

But the nationalists should never forget the requirements for the long term survival of the nation.

There are many countries around the world who in the interest of their nation, have kept their nuclear bombs under very tight wrap.

We should have done the same, and focused on establishing a strong industrial base in Pakistan.

Look at tale two Koreas. One is wayward spoiler and dirt poor. The other is a dynamic player, and super rich. They are the same people, speak the same language, share the same history. And yet one is begging for food, while the other is dominating every major industry in the West.

Unfortunately in Pakistan, many dream to turn Pakistan into North Korea, and looks like they are succeeding so far. If it was not for our poor farmers in Punjab, or the hard working industrial laborers in Karachi, believe you me, we would have been much closer to North Korea: nuclear armed and beggars.

I realize that my views are contrarian on this very topic. But they are just views and not meant to hurt anyone.

Khehkeshan · May 29, 2008, 4:15pm

Re: Yaum-e-Takbeer 28 May 2008: 10 Years of Nuclear Existence

http://www.dawn.com/2008/05/29/top9.htm

Nationalists observe ‘black day’ in Balochistan

By Saleem Shahid

QUETTA, May 28: Baloch nationalist parties and student organisations observed a ‘black day’ on Wednesday on the 10th anniversary of Pakistan’s first nuclear tests.

Rallies against N-tests were held in Quetta, Khuzdar, Mastung, Dalbandin, Chagai, Kalat, Gwadar and other towns of Balochistan.

In Quetta, processions were taken out by the Baloch Students Organisation, BNF and Anjuman Ittehad Marri.

People in the procession carried banners and placards inscribed with anti-nuclear slogans. A large number of women and children took part in the processions.

A gathering held at the Manan Chowk was addressed by Salam Sabir, Nasar Baloch, Hakim Pervez Baloch, Shahzain Baloch and Ms Salma Baloch, who condemned the use of Balochistan’s land for nuclear tests and described it “rubbing salt on the wounds of the Baloch people”.

They claimed that radiation emitted by the blasts had affected health of many people in the Chagai area and the government did nothing to provide medical treatment to such people.

They said on the one hand the government wanted reconciliation with the Baloch people, but on the other it continued the military operation in the province. Hundreds of people, including political workers and leaders were still missing or in jails, they said, adding that BNF president Ghulam Mohammad Baloch and Wahab Baloch had been taken into custody by intelligence agencies in Karachi.

They said the Baloch people had nothing to do with the reconciliation efforts and they would not compromise on their rights and would continue their struggle.

The speakers urged Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani to stop the handing over of a political activist, Ghulam haider Raisani, to Iran.

The activists of the Baloch Students Organisation took out a procession from the Science College and later gathered outside the Quetta Press Club.

Addressing the protesters, BSO chairman Mohyuddin Baloch, vice-chairman Changaiz Baloch, Javed Baloch and Ataullah Baloch described the nuclear blasts as an “act against humanity”.

They urged the United Nations and other international organisations to send medical teams for providing treatment to the people affected by radiation in the Chagai area.

Haris · May 29, 2008, 6:14pm

Youre right, I missed his name by mistake in the rush and indeed he’s been the key man on all projects always even down to some of the recent missile tests. Dr Mubarak is definitely a big asset!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samar_Mubarakmand

http://pkpolitics.com/2007/12/19/capital-talk-19-december-07/

Haris · May 29, 2008, 6:16pm

Re: Yaum-e-Takbeer 28 May 2008: 10 Years of Nuclear Existence