Pakistan

Don't push us, we didn’t make nukes to fire on Shab-e-Barat: Musharraf

Musharraf says India is planning a strategy to ultimately de-nuclearise Pakistan

Web Desk June 12, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

Slamming India for ‘destablising’ Pakistan, former president Pervez Musharraf said the country's nuclear weapons are for defence purposes and not for “celebratory” occasions.

Musharraf claimed that India is planning a strategy to ultimately de-nuclearise Pakistan.

Read: Jesse Jackson comes to Musharraf’s aid

“We do not want to use nuclear capability but if our existence comes under threat, who do we have these nuclear weapons for? If I say in Chaudhary Shujaat’s style, do we have nukes saved to be used on Shab-e-Baraat?” he told a local TV channel.

“Don’t attack us, don’t challenge our territorial integrity because we are not a small power, we’re a major and nuclear power. Don’t push us,” he said.

“We should have self-confidence that their (Indian) dream to denuclearise Pakistan is not possible. We won’t let their end game materialise,” he added.

Read: US confident of Pakistan's ability to safeguard nuclear weapons

Experts say that by 2020, Pakistan will be able to produce more than 200 nuclear devices, as it currently has the world’s fastest growing nuclear weapons programme.

India has said it will not hesitate in going beyond its borders to eliminate terrorists, in an apparent warning to Pakistan.

This article originally appeared in the Press Trust of India.

COMMENTS (49)

Dr.A.K.Tewari | 8 years ago | Reply @ Iqbal and Max , Mr.Iqbal , You are absolutly correct , there is no comparison between the two that is why Pak rely on proxy war .India may retaliate any time in future then the no first use treaty will become meaningless for Pak . Mr Max , deterrance can turn to devastation at any time therefore PAK HAS TO BE DERANGED !!

Iqbal | 8 years ago | Reply @max: What bit of my research is not correct? The military comparison of India and Pakistan are given here and if ET prints this then obviously they have changed their mindset: http://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-comparison-detail.asp?form=form&country1=India&country2=Pakistan&Submit=Compare+Countries As you can see India is superior in all fields and there is no point in saying that because we are nuclear we have an upper hand. Remember we fought 4 wars with them and lost all of them. The next one will mean that Pakistan does not exist on the map. We already lost East Pakistan and we will loose the remaining bit. Your concept of nukes being used as deterrent to war is incorrect. USA and Soviet Union both had them and fought the Cold War. You may have noticed that Soviet Union does not exist today. Remember also, Pakistan cannot finance itself. It has a begging bowl of which a majority is taken by the Army. Once this external finance stops Pakistan is toast. My advise to you is do some independent research. Stop reading Pakistani propaganda. I'll repeat what Mr Musharaf famously said: “Today we (Muslims) are the poorest, the most illiterate, the most backward, the most unhealthy, the most un-enlightened, the most deprived, and the weakest of all the human race” Was he wrong?

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max | 8 years ago | Reply @Mr Iqbal, you seems to be studying different sources than Musharaf, because your research and his experience does not match up, first of all if nukes are for not use than there basic purpose as a deterrent to war will not be there, We both have nukes that is blessing in disguise for us , nukes means no war and that is best for people at both ends. It is the nukes which compels hawks at both ends to not cross the line. India (with western backers) is trying to destabilize Pakistan shows shortsightedness of Indians as they are playing with fire!!! as the strategy goes by this principal that it is not for shab-e-barat it is for defence!!

naveed | 8 years ago | Reply Love you

observer | 8 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: "Hundreds died as a result and this shameless blemish on Pakistan Army is spewing utter nonsense." Actually, the number of NLI deaths at Kargil was over 3000 as per Nawaz Sharif.

Amit Lunia | 8 years ago | Reply The great speaker Musharraf gems Spoke a too much about his plan from China during Kargil war(1999) Did not speak on a midnight call from US official (2001) Spoke about 10 % of Pakistanis being terrorist when he came to power i.e. 17 million Pakistanis are terrorist according to him ( year 1999-2000) Spoke about Mukhtar Mai saying she got herself raped to get through USA (2002) Spoke ill about Akbhar Bugati when he killed the old men Spoke irrelevant about Justice Choudhary Always speaks about strategy and leadership when he had neither If he was the military Hero to Pakistan , then the Pak army is always welcome to take any Kargil type adventure but enough Moreover why don't both the countries work hard and harder to meet both their ends

Rao Amjad Ali | 8 years ago | Reply Somehow nobody mentioned the golden words of one of Pakistan's leading lights armed with Changezi bravery, former Prime Minister Ch.Shujaat Hussain, yeh bum hum nay shab-e-barat kay liye tou nahin banaya or words to that affect. Thank you President Musharraf, you finally let out the secret of where you receive your immeasurable "wisdom" that you in turn spew on the nation if only to confirm just how wonderfully "smart and brave" you are!

Iqbal | 8 years ago | Reply Mr Musharraf, I suggest you do independent research of the strengths of India and Pakistan military and then open your mouth. We in the West have done that and have sombre views. I have also given links of their comparison but ET have not published them. I wonder why? Remember, we have lost all wars we have fought with them. Today, our "enemy" is economically very strong and therefore they can finance a war with a minnow. Our army cannot even end an internal war let alone wants to fight with a country which is thousands of times bigger and equipped. Stop making yourself a fool. Remember you confessed: "Today we (Muslims) are the poorest, the most illiterate, the most backward, the most unhealthy, the most un-enlightened, the most deprived, and the weakest of all the human race" Are you saying all this because you think we are stupid?

Zaheer | 8 years ago | Reply Well-Done Pervez Musharraf the nation expected from you to come in forefront and reply India in a language which they can understand. The man like Mush who teach India a lesson in Kargil is still ready to retaliate India on tit for tat policy. Interestingly our army, formation commanders and former generals and soldiers showed their anger and resentment against the Indian minister's statement. But the government once again failed to reply India in befitting manner except interior minister, Ch Nisar who lashes out against India's statement. The present Army Chief and former Gen Mush are very clear about their stance to protect each and every part of our country and the whole nation stand with their army. The nation needs a leadership like Musharraf who has a courage to challenge the enemies of Pakistan. The present govt has failed to combat internal & external threats and specially scared from India. PAKISTAN ARMY ZINDABAD

Salman Hussain | 8 years ago | Reply Very well said PAK ARMY ZINDABAD>...................

Prakash | 8 years ago | Reply @Jim: That's a very relevant, cogent, unbiased, non-racist, grammatically correct comment. Just how-the-heck could you get it past the moderators?

Motivational Mentor | 8 years ago | Reply Good statement and very positive patriotism.

Mohammad | 8 years ago | Reply here you go! if you point a rifle towards us, we will point a tank in retaliations.. this is what Musharraf is doing. India & to that Minister, what if Pakistan proactively sabotage your operations before i'ts launch. and at the end.. all those bashing Musharraf, either you are not Pakistanis or not patriotic - This is physiological war which Musharraf is fighting on behalf the government elected by our very dear Citizens.

Blithe | 8 years ago | Reply @PrasadDeccani: First abs foremost , India should stop foot dragging on Kashmir . The IndiAn army are strangers and must withdraw

jamor | 8 years ago | Reply @Kickass: Musharraf's subsequent actions proves that it was said,maybe in not the exact same words

Kickass | 8 years ago | Reply @someone: And Armitage denied he ever spoke to this man and said that.

Khan | 8 years ago | Reply With reasonable respect to Ex-President n Army Chief. It's becoming boring to keep talking about our nuclear strength. Surely India is fully aware of this fact, let alone rest of the world. India itself have these mad man creation. Our present n ex-generals, politician n related agencies needs to spend more time in planning, designing and implementing a strategy to disintegrate India, which should not be that difficult rather repeatedly talking about a obvious reality (nuclear capability). Separation east Punjab, Kashmir, southern state of India and likewise many other, India itself become a small state. Help these separates movements rather worked out responding to a Indian tea seller boy n his assistance.

Jim | 8 years ago | Reply It is not to that India wants to de-nuclearize Pakistan. Pakistan's nuclear weapon will eventually be used against Pakistan's own people. Terrorists and internal enemies who will some day grab the weapons will not know how to launch it but will detonate it causing widespread radiation and damage that will require Pakistan to clear up its own backyard. Eventually, Pakistan will denuclearize itself. Mark my words. If it doesn't, the the remnants of rump state will use it against each other -- Punjab vs Sind vs Pashtun vs Baloch etc. India will just sit and watch and hope the wind is not blowing eastward. Overall, Pakistan has proved to be an immature, irresponsible nation that does not know how to conduct itself in international arena. The secession and birth of Bangladesh showed it and it appears nothing has been learned in the 44 years since. Pakistanis need to go back into history and read what happened. Not the doctored history taught in Pakistan but read the international (not Indian) chronicles. Acquiring nuclear weapons was simply the worst mistake Pakistan made.

Talking Point | 8 years ago | Reply @Message from Karachite: At the rate you are getting but$hered by Punjabis , there would be Karachiwala left in Pak. Maybe some left in UK. A toast to the last Karachiwala .

someone | 8 years ago | Reply Too big a mouth for a man who got scared by one call of Richard Armitage.

Hugh Slaman | 8 years ago | Reply @ankit: We know Indi'as proxies, the TTP, are in Afghanistan, yet Pakistan does not conduct operations there out of respect for Afghan sovereignty. In the same way, it is not for India to decide to carry out operations on Pakistan's sovereign territory.

Ravindran Sharma | 8 years ago | Reply Musharraf sir , you have every right to threaten India with Nuclear bombs but you are also giving a chance to hot headed Generals in India to threaten Pakistan with Hydrogen bombs . So please stop these false body language and think positive .

Zahid | 8 years ago | Reply Wel don President Musharraf you are a hero we are proud of you good shot

Cool Henry | 8 years ago | Reply Well Pakistanis were caught with their pants down selling nuclear technology and capability to rogue countries around the world. The Gen. has been threatening use of nukes at the drop of a hat for over a decade. The US came and killed Osama - in military area. Got his rear whooped in Kargil. Shamefully, he even denied that Pakistani soldiers died when Kargil actually happened. Only lot later did he admit the fact. Don't think he and his friends understand strategy, bravery, integrity, loyalty and nukes.

syed & syed | 8 years ago | Reply @the Skunk: Retired General Parvaiz Musharaf, please read the article of Sajid Mir in today's NEWS paper. His suggestion is wise and if you have a wisdom you will certainly behave like a good children

Dr.M.M. Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Cool down it is all sabre rattling.

Ibs | 8 years ago | Reply Yes fake indian trolls with Pakistani names please come and tell us how great India is and how Pakistan is no match for India. Yet, if you actually believed your own lies you wouldn't be making fake twitter accounts underbaloch names, nor would you be wasting your time on every single Pakistani newspaper site and repeating the same stuff over and over again.

PrasadDeccani | 8 years ago | Reply @Blithe: " by allowing India to build a fence on the disputed area of Kashmir" Don't twist and twirl the facts. Your Musharraf did not give us any friendly consent to build that fence. We mercilessly pinned him down in that standoff. He had no choice but to accept in toto our conditions for withdrawal.

Pakistani citizen | 8 years ago | Reply Ya, if only you had shown guts when twin towers went down. We have the current ruler who was forced to carry out nuclear blasts. What can one say. He is most reluctant to annoy Modi. Only for his businesses.

Blithe | 8 years ago | Reply @the Skunk: Your name does you justice . Musharraf was a dictator. And all dictators are desperate for international legitimacy. Musharraf tried to get legitimacy by abandoning UN principles, by allowing India to build a fence on the disputed area of Kashmir , by giving strange and weird solutions, etc. etc. anyone who thinks that this guy was a "strong leader " is weak in the head.

Naeem Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan could only have peace with India on her own strength, when we are weak, pip squeak countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf States push us around, insult and mistreat our citizens. India never was our friend and never will be and we must deal with them on these premises, we should have learned the lessons from their interference in East Pakistan, Indians saw us weak and fighting internally and they availed the chance that we have given them, so we should never give them another chance to interfere again. There is no need for nuclear threats to India or any one else, they know it and we know it that 1971 will never ever be repeated again, never ever. The fact is we are a major stumbling block in their hegemonic designs in the vicinity but they should know that their dream for becoming some sort of super power is just a dream till they uplift the lives of millions and millions of Indians. One does not become super power with rampant poverty of 2/3 of their population and human rights violations day in and day out on certain segments of the society because they belong to different religious.. There is no doubt that certain countries like the US and Israel with collaboration with India would like to see Pakistan de nuked for strategic dominance but it is up to Pakistanis to stay united and strong. The problem lies with our leadership, we have been unfortunate all along to have mediocre leadership who are more interested in their well being and bank balances than the wellbeing of the country and it's citizens. They have sold the interests of the country to others to get benefits for them and perpetuate their dominance and rule over this unfortunate country. The bottom line is that Pakistan has to be strong economically, militarily and socially in order to combat any country's nefarious designs on her territorial integrity. Also to keep people( enemies) like Modi at bay who's hands are tainted with the blood of thousands of it's own citizens in the State of Gujarat and who was denied entry into the USA for a decade or more. We know that he is a blood thirsty guy and perhaps we should supply him with some COW'S blood to satisfy his thirst ( pun in tented ).

ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply None of our present rulers have the guts to speak like ex Gen M..Sir, salute you. In sha Allah you will be released soon with respect, just have patience.

Raj - USA | 8 years ago | Reply @Tajammal Waheed: "Gen Musharraf can be of tremendous value to represent Pakistan at various world forums. He is an effective speaker with established credibility." When Musharraf relinquished power, as part of the deal, USA and UK assured him that he will have a good income in the future also. All Musharraf's paid lectures and publishing of his book are part of the deal. USA and UK sponsored his paid speeches through various agencies and organizations so that Musharraf could have an income. UK was also giving him security at government's expense. All these have ended when Musharraf returned back to Pakistan. You want to have a sample of Musharraf's speaking abilities. He was the one who said on CNN that Pakistani woman get raped to get visas for USA and Europe.

ankit | 8 years ago | Reply Well i dont understand why my dear pakistani friends are feeling proud on Musharraf's comments..like we wont let India do any adventurism against terrorists across border..? It tells clearly that you are supporting them and to safeguard them, you are ready to use nukes? double face isnt?

Sukh Deep Singh | 8 years ago | Reply I am Indian, and am ashamed of being on under Modis goverment. Our government is in over their head, and is getting jittery over their access to pry into pakistani business has been taken away, and the fact that pakistan is at an advantage becaus of chinese relationship. shame india shame. If this conflict becomes nuclear no matter who wins many wil die. modi needs to put his pride on the side and think clearly

Rex Minor | 8 years ago | Reply @Rans : Mr Parvez son of Mr Musharaf does not need Indians, he speeks for himself and his capability is not a secret. He caved in as a President in his own house whenmerican threatened by a junior officer from the American foreign office. Rex Minor

London Banker | 8 years ago | Reply This man is a disgrace to our army - His tenure is over. Let it go Musharraf, stop losing what little credibility you have left.

miristan | 8 years ago | Reply I love you Gen.Musharaf for Indian Bashing.

Sane Khan | 8 years ago | Reply @ all - But we can definitely fire on Divali, and no one can argue with it.

Message from Karachite | 8 years ago | Reply We want peace with India. But if Indians want to do some thing, can you please come to Karachi first as the citizens of Karachi would like to have a go at you first :) If they come near Liyari they will be toast!

ziddi | 8 years ago | Reply Did anyone ever heard any responsible nuclear power threatening use of nuclear bomb on the drop of a hat.It merely shows your fear of enemy and insecurities.If some statement from Indian leaders makes this ex president to jump to conclusion to use nuclear weapons and chest thumping by his admirer then one can safely assume he is simply frightened..Kargil happened when he was in charge of nuclear asset but never used it,General Mushraff relax,we in India understand your need for public sympathy due to multiple court cases and consequences that will follow.

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Gen.Musharaf knows how to handle Indians.

Adnan Siddiqi | 8 years ago | Reply Does this "Bhagora" not remember how India pounded the hills of Drass and Kargil and when the pressure mounted, he along with his sector commanders cut off the supply lines to those NLI men fighting the Indian war machine. Hundreds died as a result and this shameless blemish on Pakistan Army is spewing utter nonsense.

cautious | 8 years ago | Reply He's suppose to be in prison waiting trial ... not sitting in a luxury palace giving news conferences. He's a great example of Pakistan justice at work (or why it doesn't work).

Rana | 8 years ago | Reply some Indians with fake Pakistani names will post against Musharraf because they are to embarrassed to use their own name

nizamuddin khan | 8 years ago | Reply So...did we decide to use the Nukes on those who came in deep into our territory when our Army/Air force was fast asleep and killed Bin Laden? Why do we continue to provide a mouth piece to a failed General of ours who tends to put his foot in his mouth every time he tries to say something? Hasn't Musharraf done enough to hurt us? Do we still need to hear/read what he has to say?

the Skunk | 8 years ago | Reply Good shot, Mr. Musharraf! You scored a bulls-eye with the very first round! India can't do it alone, it needs the US, EU, and Israel to TRY and de-fang us. Salams to Pakistan and to you, Sir.

Tajammal Waheed | 8 years ago | Reply Gen Musharraf can be of tremendous value to represent Pakistan at various world forums. He is an effective speaker with established credibility. Nawaz Sharif should rise above his personal egos and set Musharraf free to travel abroad and present Pakistan's case.

Adnan Siddiqi | 8 years ago | Reply Yeah no $h!t! Even with such a leverage, you still ended up selling yourself, our interest and Kashmir in Agra in 2001.

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