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Pak parades its medium range missiles

Pakistan displayed its domestically developed medium range missiles to the public for the first time at a military parade in Islamabad today.

Besides the mobile 1,500-km range Ghauri and the 600-km Shaheen, the earlier HATF series of shorter ranges were also on display.

Shaheen can be made ready for firing in 30 minutes and Ghauri in four hours.

President Rafiq Tarar, addressing the parade, announced a medal for those who made the Muslim nation a nuclear power.

Tarar said Pakistan was developing its military strength but was ready to make peace, quoting a verse from the Quran which asks Muslims to be prepared to deal with ''open and hidden enemies'' but to respond positively to gestures of peace.

Tarar called for national unity and ''unconditional cooperation'' with the government in overcoming the social and economic problems in the country that have worsened since it went nuclear.

Tarar, however, reiterated Pakistan's ''diplomatic, political and moral support'' for the separatist struggle against India in Kashmir.

''Kashmir is an issue of survival for Pakistan,'' he said.

UNI

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