Nuclear tests proof PM won’t bow before anyone, says Rashid

Minister says conspiracies of sit-ins, demonstrations being hatched

MUZAFFARABAD: Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid Saturday said Youm-e-Takbeer is testament to the fact that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not bow to world powers or was bought.

Addressing Youm-e-Takbeer Workers Convention in Muzaffarabad, he detailed the events leading up to the six nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on May 28, 1998.

Rashid recalled that after India carried out nuclear tests in Pokhran, between May 11-13, people of Kashmir were curious about a Pakistani response.



But several hurdles were created for Islamabad to reply.

The minister said that then US President Bill Clinton called Nawaz five times asking him not to conduct atomic tests, money to the tune of $5 billion was also offered. Even intellectuals at that time advised the prime minister against the tests, warning that the government will have to face severe challenges and difficulties.

But the premier remained steadfast, he said.

Nuclear scientists, according to Rashid told the premier that they required large sums of money and up to four weeks to prepare a proportional response. Nawaz vowed to make the country’s defence impregnable and provide the required funding. On May 28, the tests were carried out.

But for this, the premier was exiled from the country.

The information minister added that the people will protect the prestige and honour of Nawaz as their prestige and honour was enhanced by conducting six atomic blasts.



Rashid said that today the premier has ordered completion of mega power projects such as the Neelum-Jehlum project. But he lamented that conspiracies like sit-ins and street demonstrations were being hatched against the prime minister who was planning to provide gas and electricity to the people.

Without naming anyone, he took a swipe at political opponents stating that accountability should be done in accordance with the Constitution and in this regard loan defaulters ought to prepare themselves.

Claiming that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will be beaten in the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Rashid said that people of the valley would bury the politics of lies and accusations.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 29^th, 2016.